UN Warns Of Risks Of Increasing Children's Recruitment By Gang Groups In Haiti

Haitians have been displaced by armed violence by gang groups. (United Nations/Giles Clarke)

JAKARTA - UN officials warned on Tuesday that increased recruitment of children by Haitian gangs means minors are inevitable to be caught in a shootout, pledging to train the armed personnel deployed to fight the gangs as part of the newly mandated force.

UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Roberto Benes said at a press conference there was an increase in the recruitment of minors by gangs this year, with 10-year-olds joining, and they likely represent up to half of all gang members.

The UN Security Council in 2023 mandated Kenyan-led troops to help police restore order, but the supply-deficient forces and personnel struggled to contain the gang. Last month, the Council voted to restructure, open the new tab, the force.

The new model, the Gang Enforcement Forces, will also rely on substantial voluntary contributions, opening new tabs that have not materialized.

"We have all the mechanisms to ensure anyone who will be assigned in the field to actively carry out this operation has been well trained," Benes said of the force.

Last week, UNICEF said it had verified hundreds of recruitment cases, with small children forced to carry weapons or serve as reconnaissance. Girls, in particular, face the risk of sexual violence.

One of Haiti's four children dropped out of school, often because buildings were inaccessible, occupied, or because their families were forced to move due to violence, Benes added. He said 680,000 people were displaced - nearly double last year's figure.

It is known that the conflict between the fully armed Haitian gangs - which are now largely joined by one alliance - and the security forces has increased over the years.