PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – The humanitarian crisis in Haiti has escalated to alarming levels, with recent reports indicating that one in eight children are now internally displaced due to rampant violence primarily instigated by armed groups dominating much of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Recent data reveals that over 500,000 children have been forcibly displaced from their homes, representing a staggering 48 percent increase since September. In total, more than one million Haitians are currently displaced, with children making up approximately half of this figure and urgently requiring humanitarian support.
“It is a horrific time to be a child in Haiti, as violence continues to disrupt lives and displace families,” stated a spokesperson for the local humanitarian body. “Children are in dire need of safety, protection, and access to essential services. Ignoring their plight is not an option,” they emphasized.
Children Caught in the Crossfire
Chronic political instability, poverty, and inequality have paved the way for armed groups to flourish, wreaking havoc on the lives of children.
Reports indicate a shocking 70 percent rise in child recruitment over the past year, with minors comprising up to 50 percent of the armed groups’ ranks. Such actions are a breach of international law and represent a grave violation of children’s rights.
Furthermore, the displacement crisis has rendered children particularly vulnerable to various forms of violence, including sexual exploitation and abuse.
Notably, incidents of sexual violence against children have surged by 1,000 percent in the last year, raising urgent alarms about their safety.
Access to fundamental services like education, healthcare, clean water, and sanitation has been severely compromised, putting children at greater risk of malnutrition and illness.
Nearly 6,000 individuals are facing famine-like conditions, while unsanitary displacement sites have become breeding grounds for cholera outbreaks. Nearly 88,000 suspected cases of cholera have been documented, with children disproportionately affected.
Worsening Urban Crisis
The crisis is particularly severe in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, where violence and instability are pervasive.
By December, attempts to besiege residential neighborhoods forced approximately 40,000 individuals to flee their homes within a mere two-week period.
Local authorities estimate that three million children nationwide require humanitarian assistance, with 1.2 million children facing immediate danger in the capital alone.
Call to Action
Local humanitarian organizations are calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an end to violations of children’s rights, notably the recruitment of minors by armed groups and all forms of sexual violence.
They have also urged for unhindered access for humanitarian workers to assist those in need, particularly displaced populations.
