Around 1.4 million people have been forced to flee their homes due to gang violence and thousands more have died.
A new report released by the UN in Haiti highlights stronger protection measures for children in gang-affected communities.
Read Joseph’s account of gang life:
“I grew up in a poor neighborhood where gangs controlled everything. I saw armed men on the streets all the time. Some were well dressed, had nice cars, and were surrounded by women. They were the ones who dictated the rules in our neighborhood.
For us children, it was normal. We didn’t have many opportunities to play sports or have fun and there really was no hope for the future.
A young man in Haiti joins a UN-backed program to prevent gang recruitment.
One day, at the end of August 2024, I was with a friend and he told me he was part of a gang. He told me about all the positive things the gang gave him, like money and the feeling of being important. He told me that I should join them too. I was hesitant because I knew it was dangerous, but I decided to try it.
Attack the police
Shortly after joining, a gang member gave me a radio and asked me to monitor the police and inform the gang of their movements. Then the gang leader gave me a firearm.
There were rumors of a major police operation and I was told I would have to fight the police. I was afraid because I didn’t want to be killed. I told the gang leader I wanted to go home. He got very angry and hit me with the gun. He hit me repeatedly until my hand broke. He told me that if I tried to leave, he would kill me.
Although I was very afraid of confronting the police, I managed to escape shortly after. Someone in my community told me about an organization that could help me get medical care and support. “I contacted them in September 2024 and since then they have been helping me through counseling and support to cope with everything I went through.”