Save the Children, an organization defending children's rights, deplores the growing number of children. are forced to desperate measures to feed themselves as Haiti grapples with record levels of hunger.

Hunger is driving children in Haiti to join violent gang groups, and Save the Children has received reports of killings, kidnappings and looting by children for food.

Between January and March this year, at least 82 children were killed or injured by gang violence, an increase of 55% compared to the last quarter of 2023, marking the most violent period on record for children in the country , according to a study verified by the UN.

Between 30 and 50% of armed groups in Haiti currently have children in their ranks, according to the UN. Many of these children were forced to join armed groups, while others did so voluntarily to survive.

Jules Roberto, Food and Livelihoods Advisor for Save the Children in Haiti, said “The hunger situation is so desperate that our staff hears stories of children joining murderous gangs just to be able to eat […] If a continued support for IDP camps is not stepped up, this will create fertile ground for gangs to recruit the most vulnerable children."

IH/ iciHaiti