Haiti’s Escalating Violence Displaces 41,000, Half of Them Children

Since November 11, escalating violence in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, has displaced over 41,000 people, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This marks the highest wave of displacement since January 2023, with rights group Save the Children estimating that 52%—more than 21,000—of those affected are children. Many of these children have been uprooted multiple times over the past two years, exacerbating the challenges they face.

Photo source: AP News

Displaced families, especially children, are seeking refuge in overcrowded schools repurposed as shelters or staying with host families. These arrangements often lack access to essential services, including clean water, adequate food, and healthcare. Save the Children has issued an urgent call for unrestricted access to deliver life-saving aid, particularly in Port-au-Prince, where severe acute malnutrition and hunger remain rampant. The group also emphasized the importance of safeguarding children amid the ongoing crisis.

Photo source: SOS Children's Villages

The displacement crisis coincides with a troubling surge in the number of children recruited by gangs, which has risen by 70% in the past year, according to the United Nations. Many children are forced to join gangs, while others do so as a means of survival in a society grappling with widespread instability.

The violence has intensified following the dismissal and replacement of Haiti’s interim prime minister amid political infighting and corruption allegations targeting a transitional council tasked with restoring democratic order. Gangs now control 85% of Port-au-Prince, per U.N. estimates, further destabilizing the city.

Despite international efforts, including a Kenya-led police mission, the balance of power on the ground remains unchanged. The deteriorating security situation has left thousands vulnerable, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated global action to address Haiti’s humanitarian and governance crises.

The plight of Haiti’s displaced population, particularly children, underscores the devastating impact of prolonged violence and political turmoil on the nation’s most vulnerable. With limited resources and an urgent need for protection and aid, humanitarian organizations are calling for sustained efforts to alleviate suffering and restore stability in the country.