Since November 11, the island of Haiti, already marked by political and economic difficulties, has been facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Indeed, more than 41,000 people have been forced to flee their homes due to the rise in violence and insecurity in the capital, Port-au-Prince, as revealed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
At the heart of this tragedy, more than half of these displaced people, or more than 21,000 children, find themselves left to fend for themselves, often forced to change their place of residence several times over the past two years. These alarming figures have reached new heights since January 2023, highlighting a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented magnitude.
The fate of children, the main victims of this crisis, is particularly heartbreaking. Many of them seek refuge in overcrowded schools, converted into shelters or with host families, without access to decent sanitation, sufficient food, or adequate medical care. Faced with this emergency, the NGO Save the Children has launched an urgent appeal for full and unhindered access for humanitarian workers and vital supplies throughout Haiti, particularly in Port-au-Prince, in order to combat hunger, severe acute malnutrition and to ensure the protection of children.
The current situation is the result of an escalation of violence that has pushed a growing number of Haitian children to join gangs, a dramatic reality confirmed by the United Nations which reports a 70% increase in the recruitment of children by these criminal groups over the last year. Forced by force or by the need to survive, these children find themselves recruited into dangerous and destructive activities, seriously compromising their future.
The rise in violence in Port-au-Prince has been exacerbated by internal political tensions and allegations of corruption targeting members of a transitional council in charge of restoring democratic order in Haiti. Gangs have consolidated their control over 85% of the capital, defying the authorities in place. Despite the presence of a Kenyan-led police mission, the balance of power remains fragile and the Haitian population continues to live in fear and uncertainty.
This humanitarian crisis in Haiti is a wake-up call for the international community. It is imperative to take urgent measures to protect children, ensure their safety and guarantee equitable access to humanitarian aid. Solidarity and political will are essential to put an end to this spiral of violence and insecurity that is plunging Haiti into a desperate situation.