Georges Wilbert Franck, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST), launched a project to establish a network of shelters and rehabilitation centers for vulnerable children who are victims of violence and/or in conflict with the law in the South, West, and Northeast regions, and inaugurated the southern hub.

The inauguration ceremony took place in the presence of Presidential Transitional Advisors Lesly Voltaire and Frinel Joseph, members of the government, members of the Southern delegation, Claire Daphnée France, the acting mayor of Les Cayes, officials from MAST and the Institute for Social Welfare and Research (IBESR), partners, and members of civil society.

During his address, Minister Franck called on the population to reflect on the plight and suffering of children in highly vulnerable situations. "How many of you here today have never witnessed the plight and suffering of children cast into poverty ?" he asked, while affirming that no Haitian is unaware of the reality faced by this segment of society.

"Through the implementation of this project, the Government is committed to breaking the cycle of social injustice and child vulnerability, ensuring that all children matter, wherever they are in the country."

The Minister commended Presidential Advisors Voltaire and Joseph for their dedication to the social protection of children, as well as the various technical and financial partners. He made a passionate appeal for the entire population to collaborate for the well-being of children.

For Adviser Voltaire, "[...] this network of rehabilitation centers, covering the South, West, and North regions, marks a decisive step in the national response to the increased vulnerability of minors. Thus, the inauguration of the South center comes at a time when the multidimensional crisis facing Haiti is seriously jeopardizing the dignity and fundamental rights of children."

Addressing the causes of this vulnerability, Voltaire emphasized that children are among the first victims of armed violence, noting that many minors find themselves associated, by force or coercion, with armed groups. He revealed that "2,269 grave violations were recorded in 2025, an increase of 500% compared to 2024," a figure which, according to him, illustrates the rapid deterioration of the situation. Faced with this alarming observation, Voltaire indicated that the authorities intend to "strengthen child protection". In this context, he presented the rehabilitation center project as a tool designed to provide tailored support and promote the social reintegration of children affected by violence. He also specified that "funding for the planned activities is already secured."

This five-year project (2025-2030), with estimated funding of over 3.8 billion gourdes for its three components, has received an allocation of 100 million gourdes from the 2025-2026 investment budget. He also received a donation from the "Pwojè Espwa Sud" (PES), a partner of Ouverture Outreach International (OOI), of a land and buildings covering more than 40 carreaux (over 160,000 m2) which includes, among other things, modern classrooms, dormitories, a cafeteria, and recreational and sports areas, valued at 930 million gourdes.

IH/ iciHaiti