Caribbean News
Haiti’s Children Face Dire Circumstances Amid Escalating Crisis
Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
Haiti, July 26, 2025 – For five teenagers, achieving scholastic competence and excellence was a dream they worked diligently to achieve; they are now graduates, part of the class of 2025—but their story is rare in beleaguered Haiti. In fact, the escalating humanitarian crisis now exposes that life for children in Haiti is among the worst in the world.
In a sobering update from the United Nations, Haiti is now considered one of the most dangerous places to be a child—alongside conflict-ridden countries like Gaza, Somalia, and the Congo. Children are increasingly caught in the crossfire of gang violence, facing a 500% rise in violence against them, according to recent reports. Many are maimed, raped, killed, or forced to carry guns and join gangs. Others, arrested in chaotic crackdowns, find themselves trapped in adult prisons without due process. The education system has nearly collapsed under the strain of ongoing violence. As of mid-July, more than 1,600 schools remain closed—a more than 66% increase since the beginning of the year. With nowhere safe to learn, children become more vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and gang recruitment. UNICEF has stepped in to provide emergency learning opportunities to over 16,000 children and reached more than 100,000 with mental health and psychosocial support—but this barely scratches the surface.
The malnutrition crisis adds to the horror. Since January, UNICEF and partners have screened more than 217,000 children for acute
malnutrition. Over 21,500 have been admitted for life-saving treatment—representing only 17% of the 129,000 children projected to need help this year. Many are like little Homer, who arrived at the “Love A Child Malnutrition Clinic” near death—unable to eat, move, or drink. He is now recovering after receiving care and food support, thanks to organizations like “Feed My Starving Children.”
In total, 5.7 million people in Haiti face high levels of acute food insecurity, more than half the country’s population. Meanwhile, humanitarian access is severely limited due to violence and instability. Health centers have closed, supply chains are choked, and fear has stopped mothers—who traditionally sell goods in markets to feed their families—from leaving their homes.
And yet, there are glimmers of hope. Five young adults—Dieubon, Yolanda, Ada, Samuel, and Christian—will graduate from “Philo,” the 13th and final year of school in Haiti. Their achievement is monumental not only because of the educational hurdles, but because orphans in Haiti often face stigma and marginalization. As one caregiver put it, “Even if one child graduates, it is a big deal. But we have five.”
Still, the broader reality remains grim. The UN warns that Haiti is the least funded of all global crisis appeals. As of July 23, less than 9% of the $908 million required for the 2024 humanitarian response has been received.
The story of these five graduates stands as a beacon amid chaos—a testament to the power of perseverance. But for Haiti’s children to have a future, the world must not look away. Urgent funding, safety, and long-term solutions are needed—before more dreams are extinguished.
CAPTIONS:
PHOTO OF CHILDREN WITH FOOD
Photo courtesy of HopeofChristHaiti.org posted April 2025/Facebook
PHOTO OF 5 GRADUATES
Photo courtesy of Love A Child, Inc posted June 19/Facebook
Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.
The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new
administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.
In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.
The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.
Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.
Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.
Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s
leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.
The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.
Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.
Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM
Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.
CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.
Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.
“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.
“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity,
such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”
Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.
“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.
Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.
Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.
Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.
“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.
