Roberto warned that “if permanent support in the displaced persons camps is not prioritized and expanded, it will will create a breeding ground for bands to attract children more vulnerable to recruitment.
Violence involving gangs and armed groups has shot up more than 140% so far this year compared to 2021, according to Save the Children’s analysis of ACLED data (a system that collects real-time data on locations, dates, actors, deaths and all reported protest and political violence events Worldwide).
Between January and March of this year, At least 82 minors have been killed or injured by gang violencewhich represents an increase of 55% compared to the last quarter of 2023, which is also the most violent period for this population group ever recorded in the country, according to data verified by the UN.
Of the 82 children and adolescents killed or injured, almost half were hit by bullets during gang attacks or during confrontations between them and the Police.
Between 30% and 50% of armed groups in Haiti currently have minors in their ranksAccording to the UN, many of them forced to join armed groups, while others have joined voluntarily as survival measure.
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One in two minors in the country faces serious food insecurity due to food shortages caused by gang violence, which control more than 90% of Port-au-Prince, complicating access to nutritious food and increasing the price of the basic basket by 21%.
Save the Children calls on world leaders to protect children most marginalized in Haiti from recruitment by armed groups, and to the UN Security Council to use its power to end impunity for the use of children and adolescents in this crisis.