Country: Haiti Source: UN Children's Fund PORT-AU-PRINCE, le 25 February 2024 – In Haiti, the recruitment and use of children by armed groups increased by 70% in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with one in two children in armed groups being underage. In response to this alarming reality, the Haitian Government and UNICEF are intensifying their efforts to prevent child recruitment and strengthen reintegration programs.Building on previous commitments, the Haitian Government and the United Nations System are working together to revise and reinforce the national framework for preventing child recruitment and supporting the rehabilitation of children separated from armed groups.From February 10 to 13, 2025, the PREJEUNES workshop convened key stakeholders from the Haitian Government, the United Nations System, international organizations, and civil society to refine the national response and establish a clear roadmap for implementation.Over three days, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP), the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST), the Institute of Social Welfare and Research (IBESR), UN agencies, and other partners reviewed strategic priorities and finalized an updated framework aimed at preventing child recruitment and supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of affected children and youth, including those previously associated with armed groups.Through collaborative working sessions, participants assessed the current situation of children in Haiti, validated the strategic pillars of the PREJEUNES programme, and finalized an implementation plan guiding the prevention of child recruitment and the provision of essential care for separated children. The workshop’s closing on February 13, 2025, marked the official launch of the program, reinforcing collective commitments to strengthening child protection efforts in Haiti.Nothing can justify a nation that neglects its children and youth. Aware of this, I am dedicating all my energy to building a socially just Haiti that stands alongside its youngest citizens.His Excellency Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, Prime Minister of Haiti.We must act before more children fall into the grips of violence. This requires collective action, concrete solutions, and positive alternatives.François Kampundu, UNICEF Deputy Representative in HaitiThe revised framework builds on the existing Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Haitian Government and the United Nations System, which establishes clear guidelines for the protection and reintegration of children associated with armed groups. It reinforces mechanisms to ensure that separated children are treated as victims, not criminals.The framework accelerates the transfer process, ensuring that children are placed under the protection of IBESR within 72 hours of separation from armed groups, with immediate access to psychosocial, medical, and educational support. It also mandates the strict separation of children from adults in detention centers to prevent further exposure to violence.Aligned with international standards, including the Paris Principles and Commitments on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups, the framework prohibits the prosecution of children for association with armed groups, except in cases of grave crimes. It prioritizes education and vocational training, providing children with sustainable alternatives to recruitment. Particular attention is given to girls, who face heightened risks of sexual violence, ensuring priority access to specialized protection and care services.The closing of the workshop on February 13, 2025, marked a significant step forward in collective efforts to strengthen Haiti’s national response to child recruitment and reintegration. With renewed commitments from the Government, UN agencies, and partners, this framework will enhance child protection measures and provide children with a future free from violence.Media contactsSalwa MoussaChief of Communication and AdvocacyUNICEFTel: +509 46971003Email: samoussa@unicef.orgGessika ThomasCommunication officerTel: +50947503125Email: gethomas@unicef.org