A 16-year-old girl in Haiti experienced a harrowing ordeal after being kidnapped by armed men while out shopping. She was subjected to brutal treatment, including beatings, drugging, and repeated sexual assault during her month-long captivity. The gang ultimately released her when they realized her family could not afford to pay a ransom, a common practice in the country where kidnappings for extortion have become rampant.
The girl is now safe in a United Nations shelter, where she is receiving care alongside dozens of other girls who have faced similar fates. The rise of gang violence in Port-au-Prince has led to a severe breakdown of law and order, contributing to a broader crisis that includes the collapse of health services and a growing food insecurity issue. Last year alone, over 5,600 people lost their lives to gang-related violence in Haiti.
The political landscape in Haiti is equally troubling. The transitional presidential council, which was established to oversee elections and restore democratic governance, is reportedly in disarray. This council replaced the interim prime minister in November, yet it has made little headway in organizing elections that have been delayed for an extended period.
Children in Haiti are increasingly being drawn into gang activities, often through coercion. UNICEF has reported cases of gang members as young as eight years old. The organization highlights that many Haitian children lack the basic necessities for a normal childhood, even those who remain with their families. Schools and hospitals are operating at minimal capacity, leaving tens of thousands of children out of school.
In response to the escalating crisis, UNICEF has set up mobile safe spaces across Haiti to provide support for children and to combat the risk of sexual violence. However, the agency’s efforts are hampered by financial constraints. Last year, UNICEF requested $221.4 million to fund its humanitarian work in Haiti but received only a quarter of the necessary amount. With recent cuts to U.S. foreign aid affecting humanitarian initiatives globally, there are growing concerns that Haiti’s urgent needs will continue to be overlooked.