End Child Trafficking, Exploitation in Haiti

End Child Trafficking, Exploitation in Haiti

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<b>Hundreds of thousands of young Haitians are the victims of exploitation.</b><br /><br /><br /> <br /> 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 <b>homes, fields, gangs and as prostitutes</b>. <br /><br /><br /><b>As many as 200,000 children are the victims of human trafficking</b>, reports the State Department and human rights groups.<br /> <br /><br /> There are solutions. Doubling the U.S.-funded human rights program in Haiti to $5 million will support more shelters and train community groups.<b> Help for anti-trafficking activities on the Haitian border is a must. </b>Growing the economy through community development -- in which residents decide on locally-generated and managed projects -- <b>should be a priority.<br /></b> <br /><br /> Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's April visit to Haiti demonstrated the Administration's support for the island. That was an important step. <b><br /><br />Please thank Secretary Clinton for her commitment.<a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/186849816"> Urge her to expand the good work that her department is doing to protect exploited children and improve the economy.</a> The Haitian government also deserves praise for its efforts to rebuild the economy.</b><br /><br /><br />Thanks for taking action!<br /><br /><br /><b>Target:</b> Secretary of State Hillary Clinton <br /><br /> <b>Sponsored by:</b> Pan American Development Foundation<br />

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