The violence raging in Haiti is causing “lost territory” – the forced displacement of one child every minute, on average – and some 300,000 children have already been affected, the United Nations children’s agency warned Monday.
Displaced children make up more than half of the 600,000 people who have been forced to flee their homes because of the violence, according to UNICEF, particularly in the capital Port-au-Prince, much of which is controlled by gangs.
“The number of internally displaced children has increased by around 60 per cent since March, equivalent to one child every minute, due to ongoing violence by armed groups,” UNICEF said in a report.
Haiti has long been wracked by gang violence, but the situation took a sharp turn for the worse in late February when armed groups launched coordinated attacks in Port-au-Prince, saying they wanted to overthrow then-prime minister Ariel Henry.
“Children in Haiti continue to endure an onslaught of multiple dangers, including horrific violence and critical levels of displacement,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
“The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes is having a devastating impact on children. Displaced children are in desperate need of a safe and protective environment, as well as increased support and funding from the international community.
When displaced children and adolescents are forced to move – often without their families – they are at risk of dropping out of school and becoming victims of sexual assault, exploitation and abuse.
In addition, young people are increasingly joining armed groups that are spreading terror in a country where 90% of the population lives in poverty and three million children are in need of humanitarian assistance, UNICEF warned.
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