The Crisis of Child Recruitment by Gangs in Haiti

Haiti is currently facing a severe humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by a leadership vacuum following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. This power void has allowed gangs to gain control, with reports indicating that approximately 90 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, is now under gang influence. As a result, around 1.4 million people have been internally displaced, forced to flee their homes due to escalating violence. Families like that of Altagrace, who lost her brother to gang violence, have been relocated to overcrowded camps where conditions are dire, with rampant malnutrition and disease.

The Independent

The dire situation has led to an unprecedented hunger crisis, with UNICEF reporting that over half of Haiti's population is experiencing "crisis" levels of food insecurity. This environment has made children particularly vulnerable to gang recruitment, with UNICEF noting a staggering 70 percent increase in child recruitment into gangs in 2024. Many children, some as young as eight, are coerced into joining these groups, often driven by extreme poverty and the promise of food. UNICEF spokesperson James Elder highlighted that while some children are forcibly taken, others are manipulated into joining due to their desperate circumstances.

The Independent

Organizations like Mary’s Meals are working to combat this crisis by providing food to schoolchildren in Haiti. Emmline Toussaint, who coordinates feeding programs in Port-au-Prince, emphasizes the importance of providing basic necessities to deter children from gang involvement. The organization has been active since 2006 and reports that the situation has worsened significantly, with daily occurrences of violence and exploitation. Altagrace, a mother benefiting from these programs, expressed relief that her children can access food at school, stating, “If my child finds something to eat, it makes me happy.”

The Independent

Despite the efforts of humanitarian organizations, critics argue that the response to the crisis has been inadequate. The breakdown of institutional support in Haiti has left many families without the necessary resources to escape the cycle of violence and poverty. The lack of effective law enforcement and governance has allowed gangs to thrive, further complicating the humanitarian response.

The Independent

• “When we were at home, my mother used to prepare food in the morning when we had to go to school, but in the camp, there are far too many people,” — Anne, 14, displaced child

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• “It’s a lethal cycle. Children are recruited into the groups that fuel their own suffering.” — James Elder, UNICEF spokesperson

The Independent

• “Speaking about her own children, Altagrace says: “With the help of Mary’s Meals at school, I no longer have concerns.” — Altagrace, mother of displaced children

The Independent

As the situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, international organizations and local charities are calling for increased support to address both the immediate needs of displaced families and the underlying issues that allow gangs to flourish. The upcoming months will be critical in determining whether these efforts can effectively curb the recruitment of children into gangs and alleviate the humanitarian crisis.

The Independent