Monday, December 25, two little girls under the age of 10 and 2 adults were killed in Haiti on Christmas Day by armed men from the "400 Mawozo" gang who carried out a deadly attack on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, in the Croix-des-Bouquets district. Additionally, four family members were kidnapped.

The week before Christmas, at least five people were killed, including a mother and her child, in the town of Ganthier...

Bruno Maes, UNICEF Country Director, said the UN child protection agency "[...] is deeply shocked and outraged" by the latest attacks, which have left behind "a trail of unimaginable grief and despair [...] We express our deepest sympathy to the victims, families and communities affected by these barbaric attacks."

UNICEF is sounding the alarm about the unprecedented escalation of violence in Haiti and its deadly impact on children. In areas controlled by gangs, places that children rely on for protection and support, including schools, health facilities and protective services, are increasingly under attack and resulting in child deaths, Maes lamented.

"UNICEF urges all parties to stop attacks on children and their families and keep them out of harm’s way."

HL/ HaitiLibre