Haiti’s gang violence has displaced 300,000 children

Gang violence in Haiti has displaced over 300,000 children since March, according to the U.N. children’s agency on Tuesday. The Caribbean nation continues to grapple with rampant killings and kidnappings.

More than half of the nearly 580,000 people made homeless in the past four months are children. This surge in violence began in late February following coordinated attacks on key government infrastructure, leading to Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation in April.

“The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes is taking a devastating toll on children,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s executive director. “Displaced children are in desperate need of a safe and protective environment, and increased support and funding from the international community.”