Haitian Gangs Escalate Child Recruitment Amidst Humanitarian Crisis

Children in Haiti are increasingly being forced into gang activities as the country's institutions collapse, with minors making up a significant portion of gang members.

• Haitian gangs are recruiting children as young as six, using them as soldiers and sex slaves, as reported by Human Rights Watch.
• An estimated 30% of gang members are minors, driven by hunger and poverty to join criminal groups for food and shelter.
• Girls are subjected to sexual abuse and forced labor, often discarded after becoming pregnant, highlighting severe gender-based violence.
• The United Nations has deployed a multinational security force to support Haiti's police, but gang control remains pervasive, especially in Port-au-Prince.
• Efforts to address the crisis include calls for better protection, education, and reintegration programs for affected children.

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