PRINCE PORT.- The increasing gang violence in Haiti triggered a humanitarian crisis that has left more than 300,000 children displaced in recent months, according to a recent report by UNICEF. The situation is worsening amid failed government efforts to stem a wave of kidnappings and murders sweeping the Caribbean country.
Since March, more than 580,000 people have been forced to flee their homes due to escalating armed conflict. Violence escalated significantly in late February with a series of coordinated attacks on government infrastructure, culminating in the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in April.
UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russellwarned of the devastating impact on children and stressed the urgent need for a safe environment and greater international support for these vulnerable children.
Gangs have taken control of 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and the main access routes into the city. The United Nations reports that in the first three months of the year, more than 2,500 people were killed or injured across the country, exacerbating the crisis.
The situation of displaced children is particularly worrying. Many of them are residing in makeshift shelters, including schools with poor sanitary conditions, increasing the risk of disease. School closures have left thousands of children without access to education, while a lack of basic resources such as food, clean water and healthcare forces many to join gangs to survive.
UNICEF also highlights the increased risks of sexual assault, exploitation and family separation among displaced children and adolescents.
The recent arrival of a contingent of Kenyan security forces, sent to help Haiti regain control of gang-dominated areas, was met with skepticism in some quarters. This reaction is partly due to memories of a previous UN peacekeeping mission that introduced cholera to the country and faced accusations of sexual abuse.
In an effort to coordinate the international response, US Deputy National Security Advisor, Jonathan Finermet with Haiti’s interim Prime Minister Garry Conille to discuss the implementation of the UN-backed mission. Finer emphasized the U.S. commitment to accountability and proper oversight of the mission.
Meanwhile, Haiti is bracing for a hurricane season that has started earlier than expected, with Hurricane Beryl threatening the country’s southern coast. Authorities have issued alerts and preventive measures are being taken to mitigate the impact of potential natural disasters on a nation already mired in crisis.
Source: With information from AP
