Haiti’s children

The humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Haiti is a stark reminder of how fragile states, when left without adequate support, can spiral into conditions that imperil not just national stability but the future of an entire generation. The latest United Nations (UN) report on Children and Armed Conflict paints an alarming picture: a 490 per cent increase in grave violations against children in 2024, with more than 2000 confirmed cases. Haiti now ranks among the five most affected countries worldwide, an unenviable position that underscores the scale of collapse facing the Caribbean nation.
UN officials acknowledge that the verified figures significantly understate the pervasive violence. Children face abductions, forced recruitment by gangs, sexual violence, and killings, while women and girls are disproportionately victimised through gang rape and other forms of inhumane treatment. The institutional erosion of law and order has left the most vulnerable entirely unprotected. The result is not merely a humanitarian crisis but a societal unravelling that demands urgent and coordinated action.
Speaking on behalf of the A3+ group (Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Guyana), during a Security Council briefing, Guyana’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Trishala Persaud articulated the depth of the catastrophe and outlined immediate steps that the international community must embrace. Her intervention brought much-needed clarity to a crisis too often overshadowed by global conflicts elsewhere.
At the heart of her statement were three priorities: restoring justice institutions, ensuring the safety of humanitarian staff and aid delivery, and advancing coordinated international action across political, humanitarian, security, and economic tracks. This multidimensional approach is not just pragmatic; it is essential. The crisis in Haiti is not confined to insecurity but extends into the collapse of governance, widespread poverty, mass deportations straining already scarce resources, and a humanitarian response starved of funds. The 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan is only 10 per cent financed.
Without stabilisation, neither humanitarian aid nor long-term reconstruction can succeed. Humanitarian personnel cannot operate effectively if threatened, and basic supplies cannot reach communities under siege from gangs. The Security Council’s consideration of a Multinational Security Support mission, coupled with calls to strengthen Haitian security forces, represents an essential opportunity. However, any intervention must be carefully calibrated, strong enough to break the grip of gangs but sensitive enough to remain Haitian-led, Haitian-owned, and Haitian-focused.
Equally critical is the restoration of the rule of law and functioning justice institutions. The collapse of judicial systems has allowed impunity and corruption to flourish, perpetuating cycles of violence and undermining trust in governance. Rebuilding these structures is not simply a technical task but a moral imperative. Without credible courts, law enforcement, and anti-corruption mechanisms, even the best-intentioned international assistance risks becoming a stopgap rather than a foundation for sustainable peace.
Child protection must also remain at the centre of any strategy. As Persaud emphasised, children recruited by armed groups should be treated primarily as victims, not perpetrators. A comprehensive disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration process is needed to prevent the permanent loss of a generation to violence and exploitation. The trauma already inflicted on children will take decades to heal; immediate action is necessary to minimise further harm.
International partners must therefore recalibrate their approach. Too often, Haiti has been the subject of short-term interventions that fail to address root causes. What is required is a sustained, coordinated strategy encompassing governance reform, socio-economic development, healthcare, education, and social inclusion. The fight against corruption and impunity must be relentless, as must efforts to provide Haitians with access to basic services and opportunities for economic advancement.
Haiti’s descent into chaos is not inevitable. With political will, adequate funding, and a comprehensive, Haitian-led plan supported by international partners, the cycle of violence and despair can be broken. The A3+ statement is a timely reminder that the plight of Haiti demands compassion and also decisive, coordinated global engagement.