Increase in child trafficking in Haiti
Published:Thursday | October 21, 2010 | 5:19 PM
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) is reporting that Haitian children trafficked to the neighbouring Dominican Republic has increased since the January 12 earthquake struck the impoverished, French-speaking Caribbean country.
UNICEF officials say economic pressures faced by families may allow traffickers to convince parents to give their children up for what they think will be a better life.
However, the Fund says its work to prevent children from being trafficked extends beyond the visible presence of Haiti’s Brigade for the Protection of Minors (BPM) in Malpasse and the three other main crossing points with the Dominican Republic.
In addition to helping fund and train more BPM inspectors, UNICEF says it’s working to strengthen the capacity of Haiti’s Ministry of Social Affairs.
It’s also working with legislators to turn human trafficking legislation into law, which Haiti to date lacks.
A recent UNICEF study has found that a significant number of Haitian children are trafficked to the Dominican Republic annually.