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Relentless violence in Haiti is robbing children of the chance to attend school and placing them at risk of recruitment by armed groups, a new assessment by Plan International has found.
A needs assessment conducted in the South and South-East departments - where more than 260,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs)[1] have arrived fleeing armed violence, mostly from Port-au-Prince - found widespread violations of children's rights, including large-scale sexual violence, the collapse of education systems, and rising risks of child exploitation and trafficking.
A survey, focus groups, and interviews with over 200 people living in a site for internally displaced people found that more than nine in 10 (90%) of children have been deprived of their fundamental right to education due to violence and insecurity.
Since January 2024, more than 900 schools[2] have closed due to attacks, fear of violence or because they are being used as shelters for displaced people[3]. The education system is collapsing as teachers are forced to flee, leaving children without access to learning.
Children as young as 10 are at risk of recruitment by armed groups, a grave violation of international law. Of those surveyed, 5% stated their intention to return to Port-au-Prince to join these groups, viewing it as a means of achieving “easy financial gains.” This practice is explicitly prohibited under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Paris Principles on Child Recruitment.
Gender-based violence is rampant; young girls are particularly affected, with more than 6,400 cases[4] reported in 2024, including widespread sexual violence used as a weapon of war further exacerbated by high rates of early and unwanted pregnancies.
Alarmingly, 50% of gender-based violence incidents occurred during displacement, while families were fleeing their homes because of the violence.
The economic hardship is forcing families into impossible choices and coping mechanisms, leaving children more vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation.
In the words of Barbara*, 15, who now lives in a site for internally displaced people: “What makes me sad is thinking about how I used to live at home compared to how I am living now. They are two completely realities. Sometimes I worry because where I live now, armed groups can invade at any moment. I could receive a shock that paralyses me, and that makes me worried.”
"Haiti’s children are facing an unimaginable crisis. They have lost access to education, safe spaces, and basic protection. Urgent action is needed to ensure their safety and well-being. Without immediate intervention, an entire generation is at risk of being lost to violence and deprivation," said Prospery Raymond, Country Director of Plan International Haiti.
Haiti is experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian emergency, with over six million people - more than half the population - requiring urgent assistance[5].
The situation has deteriorated dramatically in 2024 due to escalating armed violence, mass displacement, and severe food insecurity. Over one million people have been forced from their homes, with 75% of them seeking refuge outside the capital[6].
Port-au-Prince has become the epicenter of extreme violence, with armed groups controlling large parts of the city. The impact of this violence has been devastating, with 5,600 people killed in 2024 alone, marking a 20% increase from the previous year[7].
Plan International is responding to the crisis by prioritising child protection, education, and gender-based violence prevention. The organisation has set up child-friendly spaces to provide displaced children with safe environments, psychosocial support, and access to education.
"The world cannot turn its back on Haiti. We must act now to protect children from violence, exploitation, and lost futures. Haiti’s children deserve safety, education, and hope. We call on the international community to step up and provide the necessary resources to support Haiti in this time of crisis," said Prospery.
To support families, it is implementing cash transfer programs and covering school fees to ensure children continue learning.
In response to rising gender-based violence, Plan International is strengthening services for survivors, including medical care and psychological assistance.
Additionally, it is improving sanitation in displacement centers to prevent disease and safeguard the health and dignity of affected families.
Despite significant challenges, Plan International remains committed to reaching those in need and ensuring children's rights are upheld during this crisis.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- *Name changed to protect identity.
- The findings presented in this press release are based on a needs assessment conducted in the South and South-East departments of Haiti. The assessment utilised a combination of the following methodologies:
- Field observations to assess the conditions in affected areas.
- Interviews with key informants, including child protection and education specialists.
- Focus group discussions with over 200 participants, including parents, teachers, and adolescents.
- Surveys conducted with displaced families to understand their urgent needs.
- Review of relevant documentation to provide contextual analysis.
- Data collection using Kobo Collect, with analysis led by Plan International Haiti in collaboration with regional and global technical teams.
For more information or to request an interview, please contact
Rilian Agunos
Global Media Manager (Disasters)
Tel: +66 80 132 9020
E-mail: rilian.agunos@plan-international.org
Juan Estrella
Regional Communication Officer for Public Relations
Tel: +593 995 595 893
E-mail: juan.estrella@plan-international.org
About Plan International
Plan International is an independent humanitarian and development organisation that promotes children's rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every girl, boy, adolescent, and young person, but this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion, and discrimination, and it is girls who are most affected.
By working alongside children and young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, addressing the root causes of the challenges facing girls and vulnerable children. We support the rights of children and young people from birth to adulthood and empower them to prepare for and respond to crisis and adversity.
We lead changes in practice and policy at local, national, and global levels using our reach, experience, and knowledge. For nearly 85 years, we have brought together other optimistic individuals and entities to transform the lives of all girls, boys, adolescents, and young people in more than 80 countries.
We will not stop until we achieve equality.
[1] Haiti - Information sheet on the displacement situation in Haiti — Round 9 (December 2024)
[2] UNICEF Haiti Humanitarian Situation Report No. 9 - October 2024
[3] UNICEF Haiti Humanitarian Situation Report No. 8 - September 2024