The Haitian Government and UNICEF launch the PREJEUNES programme to address the recruitment of children and youth by armed gangs

PORT-AU-PRINCE, 10 July 2025 – In light of the escalating violence affecting children and youth in Haiti, the Haitian Government, in partnership with UNICEF and with support from the European Union (ECHO), officially launched the Prevention and Rehabilitation Programme against Children and Youth recruitment (PREJEUNES) on 4 July during a ceremony held at the VDH premises in Pétion-Ville. 

The event took place in the presence of Mr. Axène Joseph, Chief of Staff of the Office of the Prime Minister, representing the Prime Minister; Mr. Antoine Augustin, Minister of National Education and Vocational Training; Mr. James Monazard, Minister of Commerce and Industry; and Ms. Arielle Jeanty Villedrouin, Director of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research (IBESR), alongside other members of the government and civil society.  

PREJEUNES comes at a critical moment. According to the 2025 report of the United Nations Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict, 2,269 grave violations affecting 1,373 children, including child recruitment by armed gangs, were verified in Haiti, representing a 490% increase compared to the previous year.  

This three-year programme, implemented within the framework of the Protocol for the Handover of Children Allegedly Associated with Armed Gangs, aims to protect children from recruitment, exploitation, and violence, while offering them sustainable reintegration solutions and comprehensive support. It also provides an opportunity to identify and transfer children allegedly associated with armed gangs to IBESR within three days. 

The development of PREJEUNES was preceded by two national workshops, bringing together experts from the Government, the United Nations system, and civil society. Together, they laid the groundwork for a response tailored to the Haitian context, rooted in local realities and adapted to the specific needs of children, particularly girls exposed to multiple forms of violence. 

During the ceremony, Mr. Herwil Gaspard, Minister Delegate for Solidarity and Humanitarian Affairs, stated: “This house is much more than a shelter. It is a place to rebuild lives for those whom the system has left behind for far too long. Haiti cannot rise without its children. To protect a life is to nurture hope.” 

Ms. Ulrika Richardson, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti, in turn, called for immediate action for children: “In this crisis, it is the children who are paying the highest price. We have a duty to act without delay because we have neither the time nor the choice. Acting now is our responsibility toward their future.” 

For his part, Mr. Gianluca Flamigni, speaking on behalf of the UNICEF Representative in Haiti, emphasized the significance of the programme: “What we are launching here goes far beyond a programme. It is a powerful signal, an act of hope, and a collective promise to never again look away from the suffering of children and young people trapped in violence.” 

The Government of Haiti and UNICEF, with the support of the European Union (ECHO), will continue to work together to ensure that children allegedly associated with armed gangs receive adequate support for their social and economic reintegration. This assistance will contribute to strengthening the resilience and social cohesion of children, their families, and communities, through initiatives focused on child protection, education, psychosocial support, livelihoods, vocational training, skills development, and life skills acquisition.