UNICEF Warns Child Recruitment by Armed Groups in Haiti Tripled in 2025

The recruitment of children by armed groups in Haiti tripled last year as poverty and violence deepen in the troubled Caribbean nation.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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According to a report by UNICEF, the recruitment of children by armed groups in Haiti tripled in 2025 as the country's poverty and violence continued to worsen. The increase in child recruitment is a troubling sign of the deteriorating conditions in Haiti, which has been plagued by political instability, gang violence, and economic hardship in recent years.

Why it matters

The rise in child recruitment by armed groups in Haiti is a deeply concerning development that highlights the worsening humanitarian crisis in the country. Children are among the most vulnerable members of society, and their forced recruitment into armed groups deprives them of their basic rights and exposes them to further trauma and exploitation.

The details

UNICEF reported that the number of children recruited by armed groups in Haiti increased from around 150 in 2024 to over 450 in 2025. The recruitment often involves coercion, with children being threatened or forced to join the groups. Once recruited, the children are used for a variety of tasks, including serving as combatants, messengers, and even sex slaves.

  • In 2024, around 150 children were recruited by armed groups in Haiti.
  • In 2025, the number of children recruited tripled to over 450.

The players

UNICEF

The United Nations Children's Fund, a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.

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What they’re saying

“The recruitment of children by armed groups in Haiti is a deeply troubling trend that must be addressed urgently. These children are being robbed of their childhood and exposed to unimaginable horrors.”

— Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF

What’s next

UNICEF is calling on the international community to increase humanitarian aid and support for programs that protect children in Haiti. The organization is also urging the Haitian government to take stronger action to prevent the recruitment of children by armed groups and hold perpetrators accountable.

The takeaway

The tripling of child recruitment by armed groups in Haiti is a stark reminder of the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in the country. Urgent action is needed to protect vulnerable children and address the root causes of poverty, violence, and instability that are driving this disturbing trend.