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UNICEF: Child Recruitment by Gangs Soars in Haiti, Colombia

2/12/2026

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UNICEF Warns: Child Recruitment

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reports a troubling rise in child recruitment by armed groups in Haiti and Colombia.
In Haiti, recruitment tripled last year amid escalating poverty and violence.
Gangs now control 90% of Port-au-Prince.
UNICEF estimates that 30% to 50% of armed group members are children, some as young as nine.
In Colombia, verified cases of child recruitment quadrupled over five years, driven by regional violence and lack of opportunities.

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UN Addresses Haiti Crisis

The United Nations (UN) reports armed groups in Haiti have displaced more than 1.4 million people, limiting access to food, healthcare, and education.
The UN notes that about half the population faces food insecurity, with rising malnutrition among children.
In 2026, the UN seeks $880 million for humanitarian aid, but funding is only 24% of the previous year's target, and the UN urges immediate donor engagement to protect essential services.

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UNICEF Warns: Child Recruitment

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reports a troubling rise in child recruitment by armed groups in Haiti and Colombia.
In Haiti, recruitment tripled last year amid escalating poverty and violence.
Gangs now control 90% of Port-au-Prince.
UNICEF estimates that 30% to 50% of armed group members are children, some as young as nine.
In Colombia, verified cases of child recruitment quadrupled over five years, driven by regional violence and lack of opportunities.

1 / 2