UNICEF Reports 60% Increase in Internally Displaced Children in Haiti Amid Escalating Violence

Recent estimates indicate that nearly 600,000 people, over half of whom are children, are now internally displaced in Haiti and urgently require humanitarian assistance.

The number of internally displaced children in Haiti has surged by an estimated 60% since March, equating to one child every minute, due to ongoing violence from armed groups.

Recent estimates indicate that nearly 600,000 people, over half of whom are children, are now internally displaced in Haiti and urgently require humanitarian assistance.

“Children in Haiti continue to endure an onslaught of multiple dangers, including horrific violence and critical levels of displacement,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes is taking a devastating toll on children. Displaced children are in desperate need of a safe and protective environment, and increased support and funding from the international community.”

Displaced children and adolescents in Haiti face heightened risks of violence, including sexual assault, exploitation, abuse, and family separation. They also suffer from disrupted access to essential services, such as safe spaces, healthcare, and clean water and sanitation.

Poor hygiene conditions in camps and makeshift settlements increase their vulnerability to diseases, including cholera. School closures and financial difficulties caused by the ongoing violence have forced many children out of school.

Years of political turmoil and dire economic conditions have fueled the growth of armed groups. In the absence of other survival or protection means, children are increasingly forced to join these groups, violating their rights and breaching international law.

With 90% of Haiti’s population living in poverty and three million children in need of humanitarian assistance, the new wave of internally displaced people faces additional challenges. The National Emergency Operations Center has announced a “hyperactive” cyclone season. Last month, a tornado destroyed the homes of 650 children in Bassin Bleu, in the Northwest Department.

Haiti's healthcare system, already struggling before the recent violence escalation, now faces a worsening situation due to the rainy season, which threatens to spike water-borne diseases in a country that reported over 84,000 suspected cholera cases.

“The needs in Haiti continue to grow, alongside the dangers for children. Everyone has a role to play to change the trajectory and ensure that children get back to school, that they are safe, and that they have access to basic services. Children should not be paying with their lives and their futures for a crisis created by adults,” Russell emphasized.