UNICEF Warns Half of Haiti’s Armed Groups Are Children

By Paul Orude, with agency report

UNICEF’s Executive Director Catherine Russell has told the UN Security Council that children in Haiti face “unimaginable suffering” as rights violations by armed groups spiral out of control.

Russell said children now make up an estimated 50 percent of armed group members, many forced into combat, used as couriers, or exploited for labor.

She revealed that reported cases of sexual violence against children in Haiti surged by 1,000 percent in 2024, with more than a quarter involving gang rapes.

“Haiti ranked among the five worst countries globally for grave violations against children,” Russell said. “Grave rights violations cannot be tolerated.”

UN data showed more than 2,000 cases of violations were verified in 2024 — a nearly 500 percent increase from the previous year. The surge has continued in 2025.

Russell also warned that humanitarian access is being blocked, with 728 incidents of denial verified last year compared to just five in 2023.

Despite the insecurity, UNICEF said it has provided treatment for 21,000 malnourished children, healthcare for 117,000 people, and clean water for 140,000 since January.

Russell appealed to Security Council members and donors to press armed groups to release all children, stop attacks on schools and hospitals, and allow humanitarian access. The UN’s $4 billion Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Haiti is just 10 percent funded.