"A generation of children bears the scars of the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti, their futures shaped by repeated displacement, ongoing crises and persistent disruptions to their education over the past 15 years," said Save the Children.

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, killed more than 220,000 people, displaced more than 1.5 million people and devastated vast infrastructure, including thousands of schools. While Haiti has since made some progress in rebuilding, ongoing violence by armed groups has crippled them, leaving children’s futures in limbo.

Chantal Sylvie Imbeault, Save the Children Haiti Country Director, said : "Life has been a succession of crises for many children in Haiti. From hurricanes to earthquakes to the rampant violence we see today, many of the families we spoke to have been displaced eight, nine, or ten times in the last 15 years. Today, armed groups have turned Port-au-Prince into an open-air prison for children. No part of the city is safe. They can’t go to school, play outside, or leave their neighborhoods safely. The future of these children is out of their control."

Haiti’s ongoing struggle with armed violence, compounded by the long-term effects of the 2010 earthquake, has left many children uncertain about their futures.

Last year alone, more than 700,000 people out of a population of 11.7 million were displaced by armed groups, and at least 1,000 schools out of more than 18,000 remain closed. The violence has limited aid deliveries, caused prices to soar, and sent hunger levels soaring across the country. Desperation has driven children to join armed groups in search of food and a sense of protection.

"Many of today’s armed gang leaders and members were children themselves in 2010," said Chantal Sylvie Imbeault. "Their futures have been compromised by the earthquake, and they are now leaving a new generation behind. For many children in Haiti, education is their only hope. The world must act now to ensure these children have the chance to learn and build a better future, so that history does not repeat itself."

Learn more about Save the Children :

Save the Children has been working in Haiti since 1978 in both urban and rural communities. The children’s rights organization is calling for full and unhindered access for aid workers and life-saving supplies throughout the country. Over the past 15 years, Save the Children has responded to numerous humanitarian emergencies in Haiti, including the 2010 earthquake and subsequent cholera outbreak, Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and the 2021 earthquake. Save the Children has provided financial assistance to displaced families in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area living in converted schools to find more dignified housing solutions, while helping to free up schools so they can resume educational activities. The children's rights organization also works with local partners in the West, Grand'Anse and South departments of Haiti, including Les Cayes, to provide access to quality education and psychosocial support to students in need.

HL/ HaitiLibre