Haitian criminal gangs are increasingly recruiting children, exploiting the nation's economic collapse and widespread poverty, according to a recent Human Rights Watch report. Boys as young as six are used as lookouts, trained to handle firearms, and involved in violent criminal activities, while girls face sexual abuse and forced domestic labor. The recruitment surge responds to increased pressure from the UN-backed Multinational Security Support Mission and the Haitian National Police, with gangs controlling about 80% of Port-au-Prince. The dire situation has left children with few alternatives for survival, as hunger and lack of state presence push them towards gangs. The UN has warned that children make up a significant portion of gang members, with estimates indicating nearly a third of these groups comprise minors. Efforts to address the crisis suggest a need for improved access to food, education, and legal opportunities for children to reduce gang recruitment.