UNICEF warns of rising Kidnappings of women and children in Haiti

Port-au-Prince, Aug 7 (RHC) The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned Monday that as of July, cases of kidnappings of women and children tripled in Haiti compared to 2021, and equaled the figure for 2022.

The organization noted that most of the abductions occurred for economic or strategic reasons and criticized that people are treated as commodities or bargaining chips.

According to UNICEF data, in the first six months of this year almost 300 kidnappings of women and children were recorded, perpetrated by armed groups for economic or tactical purposes.

"The victims who manage to return home face deep physical and psychological scars, possibly for many years," the agency lamented.

UNICEF's regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Gary Conille, insisted that women and children are not commodities, they are not bargaining chips and should never be exposed to such unconscionable violence.

"The growing trend of kidnappings and abductions is extremely worrying, and threatens both the people of Haiti and those who have come to help," he warned.

In addition, the world organization described the situation in the Caribbean country as catastrophic, with some 5.2 million people in need of humanitarian aid, including three million children, while the health system is on the verge of collapse and schools continue to be attacked.

UNICEF also denounced the increase in violence, looting, road blockades and the widespread presence of armed groups, which also hinder humanitarian work and the delivery of aid to affected communities.Last week the Center for Analysis and Research on Human Rights denounced that 83 people were kidnapped in July and linked the increase in such cases to a response to the sanctions imposed on politicians and businessmen accused of supporting the criminal activities of armed groups.