NAIROBI, Kenya- Over 300,000 children have been displaced in Haiti since March due to escalating gang violence, the U.N. children’s agency reported on Tuesday.
The total number of homeless individuals has surged to nearly 580,000 within the last four months, marking a severe humanitarian crisis in the Caribbean nation.
“The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes is taking a devastating toll on children,” stated Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s executive director.
She emphasized the urgent need for a safe environment and increased international support for these vulnerable children.
The violence, which spiked in late February, has led to significant political upheaval, culminating in the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in April.
Gangs now exert control over at least 80pc of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and the critical roads surrounding it.
The U.N. reported that more than 2,500 people were killed or injured across Haiti in the first quarter of the year.
Children, now living in dire conditions, are particularly at risk. Makeshift shelters, including overcrowded and unsanitary schools, pose significant health risks.
The closure of educational institutions has led to an alarming increase in dropout rates.
Many children, facing a lack of basic necessities like food, healthcare, and clean water, are being coerced into joining violent gangs for survival.
Moreover, these displaced minors face heightened risks of sexual assault, exploitation, and abuse.
International Response and Challenges
The announcement of the displacement crisis comes just days after hundreds of Kenyan Police arrived in Haiti to aid in stabilizing the situation.
This deployment has been met with mixed reactions, recalling the U.N. peacekeeping mission years ago that introduced cholera to Haiti and was marred by allegations of sexual misconduct.
On Monday, U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer met with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille to discuss the U.N.-backed mission’s initial deployment.
Finer reiterated the United States’ commitment to accountability and oversight in the mission, stressing the importance of these mechanisms.
Adding to the turmoil, Haiti is bracing for a potentially severe hurricane season, which has started earlier than usual.
A tropical storm watch is currently in effect for Haiti’s southern coast as Hurricane Beryl approaches the Caribbean Sea, threatening to exacerbate the already dire situation.
