Haiti: More than one million internally displaced people, nearly half of whom are children

Haiti, a country marked by instability, is facing an unprecedented humanitarian and security crisis, requiring urgent international support.

The situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate alarmingly, with more than one million internally displaced people, nearly half of whom are children, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). In the face of this unprecedented humanitarian crisis, UNICEF is calling for $272 million in emergency funding to address the growing needs of vulnerable populations.

Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Haiti has descended into chaos. In early 2024, gangs freed 4,000 detainees and took control of 85% of Port-au-Prince. Today, more than six million people are in need of emergency assistance.

Children Recruited into Gangs

UNICEF warns of another tragic aspect of this crisis: the massive recruitment of children into armed groups. According to the organization, between 30% and 50% of gang members are adolescents, with some as young as children. In a country where more than 60% of the population lives on less than $4 a day, these young people are particularly vulnerable to gang recruiters who offer them a means of survival.

In response to this tragic reality, UNICEF emphasizes the need to treat these young people as children first and foremost. “The agreements between the Haitian government and the Multinational Security Support Mission include provisions for the care and reintegration of captured minors into the community,” said the Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, Ted Chaiban.

UNICEF and its partners are intensifying their efforts, but increased international support is crucial to prevent a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe.

Independent since 1804, Haiti has faced ongoing political, economic, and natural crises. Its population is predominantly descended from African ancestors who were subjected to slavery, shaping the nation’s cultural and historical identity.