Millions of children in Haiti are living in fear and uncertainty as the country grapples with ongoing gang violence and political unrest.
Haiti is a naturally beautiful Caribbean nation that’s home to over 11 million people, many of whom are sadly experiencing widespread poverty. Life for Haitian’s hasn’t been easy; a history that’s marred by colonial rule, decades of armed violence, disease outbreaks, natural disasters, displacement and political and economic instability.
Tragically, it is the children who are paying the heaviest price.
In 2024, the recruitment of children by armed groups in Haiti surged by 70 per cent. This increase was fuelled by escalating violence, poverty, and the near collapse of critical infrastructure and social services, such as health and education. Natural disasters and disease outbreaks only exacerbate an already precarious situation, pushing families to the brink.
Alongside our partners, UNICEF continues to support children and their families in Haiti, delivering lifesaving services and supplies.
Located in the Caribbean Sea, Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic.
Latest media statement
Almost one in eight children internally displaced in Haiti as armed violence continues
The number of internally displaced children in Haiti has increased by nearly 50 per cent since September – now equaling approximately one in eight children in the entire country – as a result of ongoing violence caused by armed groups.
According to latest estimates, there are now over one million internally displaced people in Haiti, over half of them children in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
Haiti’s many challenges
The situation for Haiti’s children is dire. For decades, they have faced natural disasters like earthquakes and cyclones, disease outbreaks such as cholera, and a crippling combination of political instability, gang violence, extreme poverty, and health and education crisis collapse as many teachers, health and social workers have fled the country.
A staggering 90 per cent of Haiti’s population live in poverty and 3 million children are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, especially those living in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince, as they are at heightened risk of gang violence and sexual assault.
With over half a million children living in neighbourhoods controlled by armed groups, and without the means of survival or protection, many children are increasingly forced to join – which is a grave violation of their rights.
Displaced families fleeing violence in Haiti
3 m
children are in need of humanitarian assistance.
365,000
children have been internally displaced and are living under dire conditions and exposed to multiple threats.
1.2 m
children in Haiti’s capital city live under the threat of armed violence.
How is UNICEF helping?
UNICEF is working alongside our partners to provide Haiti’s children with access to education, clean drinking water, sanitation and lifesaving healthcare and nutrition, including vaccines to combat preventable, life-threatening diseases.
We create safe, child-friendly places for children living in camps for internally displaced people, those who have been released from armed groups, and survivors of sexual violence. Through our child protection services, psychosocial support, and family reunification efforts, we help deeply traumatised children heal and rebuild their lives.
The need is immense, and we need your help to deliver for every child.
121,000
children accessed formal and non-formal education opportunities in 2024.
85,000
children associated with armed groups were provided with mental health and reintegration support in 2024.
Donate to children in emergencies
Millions of children around the world face devastating losses and uncertain futures caused by natural disasters, public health crises and ongoing wars and conflicts. We can’t stop emergencies from happening, but we can ensure that more children survive.
