Gang violence in Haiti has displaced over 300,000 children since March, according to the U.N. children’s agency on Tuesday. The Caribbean nation continues to grapple with rampant killings and kidnappings.
More than half of the nearly 580,000 people made homeless in the past four months are children. This surge in violence began in late February following coordinated attacks on key government infrastructure, leading to Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation in April.
“The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes is taking a devastating toll on children,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s executive director. “Displaced children are in desperate need of a safe and protective environment, and increased support and funding from the international community.”
Gangs now control at least 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and the key roads leading in and out of it. Over 2,500 people have been killed or injured across the country in the first three months of the year, according to the U.N.
Many children are living in makeshift shelters, including schools, which are in poor hygienic conditions and pose a risk of disease. School closures are also contributing to a higher dropout rate.
The agency reported that children in Haiti are being forced to join violent gangs to survive due to a lack of access to food, health care, clean water, and sanitation. Displaced children and teenagers are at increased risk of sexual assault, exploitation, abuse, and family separation, according to UNICEF.
This announcement comes just days after hundreds of Kenyans arrived in Haiti to help free the country from the grip of armed gangs. The deployment has received mixed reactions, as a previous U.N. peacekeeping mission introduced cholera in the country and was marred by sexual allegations.
On Monday, U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer met with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille to discuss the initial deployment of the U.N.-backed mission to Haiti. Finer emphasized the United States’ strong support for accountability and oversight mechanisms as part of the mission.
Additionally, Haiti is preparing for a strong hurricane season, which started earlier than usual. A tropical storm watch was in effect for Haiti’s southern coast as Hurricane Beryl moved into the Caribbean Sea.
Read: Haiti’s escalating violence claims the lives of over 170,000 children
