End Child Trafficking, Exploitation in Haiti

Hundreds of thousands of young Haitians are the victims of exploitation.

With 80 percent of Haitians living in poverty -- and half of them on less than a dollar a day -- a huge number of children are forced to work against their will in homes, fields, gangs and as prostitutes. As many as 200,000 children are the victims of human trafficking, reports the State Department and human rights groups.

There are solutions. Doubling the U.S.-funded human rights program in Haiti to $5 million will support more shelters and train community groups. Help for anti-trafficking activities on the Haitian border is a must. Growing the economy through community development -- in which residents decide on locally-generated and managed projects -- should be a priority.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's April visit to Haiti demonstrated the Administration's support for the island. That was an important step. Please thank Secretary Clinton for her commitment. Urge her to expand the good work that her department is doing to protect exploited children and improve the economy. The Haitian government also deserves praise for its efforts to rebuild the economy.