Today, January 12, marks the 15th anniversary of Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake, a tragedy that claimed over 220,000 lives, displaced 1.5 million people, and shattered the country’s infrastructure, including thousands of schools.
The 7.0-magnitude earthquake on January 12, 2010, left Haiti in ruins. While strides have been made in recovery, progress has been stymied by the ongoing violence of armed groups. Haiti’s ongoing armed violence has exacerbated the long-term effects of the earthquake.
In the past year alone, more than 700,000 people—from a population of 11.7 million—have been displaced due to armed groups. At least 1,000 of the country’s 18,000 schools remain closed, leaving many children without access to education.
The United Nations, which lost 102 of its personnel in the quake, paid tribute to the victims. “Sunday marks 15 years since the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives, including 102 of our friends and colleagues. We remember them—today and always,” the UN posted on social media.
Reflecting on the long-term impact of the disaster, the humanitarian organization Save the Children has highlighted how a generation of children is still bearing the scars of this catastrophe, compounded by ongoing violence and instability. Save the Children’s country director in Haiti, Chantal Sylvie Imbeault, described the dire situation children now face.
“Life has been a series of crises for many children in Haiti,” Imbeault said. “From hurricanes to earthquakes to the rampant violence we’re seeing today, many families we’ve spoken to have been displaced eight, nine, 10 times in the past 15 years. Today, armed groups have turned Port-au-Prince into an open-air prison for children. Nowhere in the city is safe. They can’t safely go to school, play outside, or leave their neighborhoods. These children’s futures are slipping away.”
A grim future for Haiti’s children
The violence has restricted aid delivery, driven up prices, and caused hunger levels to soar. In desperation, children are being drawn into armed groups in search of food and a sense of protection.
A 2024 report from UNICEF revealed that at least 170,000 children have been forced from their homes due to the surge in gang-led violence. Gang violence in Haiti also displaced over 300,000 children last year.
Chantal Sylvie Imbeault said rebuilding the country’s education system is the only hope for its children.
“Their futures were derailed in the aftermath of the earthquake, and now they are leaving a new generation behind,” Imbeault said. “For many children in Haiti, education is their only hope. The world must act now to ensure these children have the chance to learn and build a better future, so history doesn’t repeat itself.”
Save the Children and other humanitarian organizations are urging the international community to intervene and prioritize education and safety for Haiti’s children.
Without decisive action, the country risks losing another generation to the compounded impacts of natural disasters, violence, and systemic instability.
