NEW YORK — A recent UNICEF report reveals that 30 to 50 percent of Haïti’s armed group members are children, coerced into service by persistent social, economic, and political instability. The escalating armed violence in the country has created a dire situation, particularly for the nation’s children, the United Nations International Children organization said.
The report, paints a grim picture, with 90 percent of Haiti’s population living in poverty and three million children urgently needing humanitarian aid. Years of political turmoil and devastating economic conditions have led to the rise of armed groups. Many children, lacking other means of survival or protection, are forced to join these groups, a grave violation of their rights, the report said.