Monthly update on children and armed conflict – October 2024 – Afghanistan

Recommendations to the Security Council

HAITI

Haiti is a situation of concern according to the Annual Report of the Secretary General (SG) (S/2024/384) on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC). In September, the Security Council extended the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti, unanimously adopting Resolution 2751 (2024). According to the SG’s June report on Haiti (S/2024/508), covering the period January to June 2024, armed groups, mainly in the Port-au-Prince region, were responsible for a series of serious violations of children. The UN documented the recruitment and use of children by armed groups, as well as widespread sexual and gender-based violence, especially against displaced women and girls. In addition, the report states that 52 children were murdered and 26 children were abducted during the reporting period. Sexual exploitation of girls was an alarming trend, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Schools and hospitals were regularly attacked, limiting access to essential services. The SG’s report highlights growing challenges in child protection, with limited capacity to help children escape armed violence. The Security Council must:

• to strongly condemn all human rights violations and abuses against civilians in Haiti, including serious violations against children, and to call for an immediate end to all such violations and abuses;

• Ensure that the MSS prioritizes and mainstreams the protection of children throughout all operations; supports the release and recovery of children from armed groups and their immediate transfer to civilian child protection actors; provides protection and facilitates access for child protection actors to affected children; and share with the UN Working Group CAAC in Haiti information on serious violations against children, as appropriate;

• Welcome the January 2024 Transfer Protocol between the Government of Haiti and the United Nations and encourage its full and consistent implementation, including through adequate child protection capacity;

• Calling for the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected populations, including children;

• Urge donors to quickly mobilize additional flexible funds to support the humanitarian response in Haiti, including resources for child protection.

The United States and Ecuador are co-holders of the Security Council on Haiti.