The Orphan Crisis in Haiti: Key Statistics & Facts

With an estimated 500,000 children living in orphanages or child-care centres, Haiti's orphan population is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere.

The term "orphan" in Haiti is complex. While thousands have lost both parents, many are "social orphans" — children whose parents are still alive but simply cannot afford to feed, clothe, or educate them.

The Real Numbers

• 500,000+: Approximate number of children in institutional care according to UNICEF.
• 80%: Percentage of children in Haitian orphanages who have at least one living parent who would keep them if they had financial support.
• 1 in 10: Number of children in residential care who are at high risk of trafficking or labour exploitation.

The 2010 earthquake was a massive catalyst, leaving an estimated 300,000 children without their primary caregivers in one afternoon. Since then, Hurricane Matthew and the 2021 earthquake have only increased these numbers.

How ORDEPROGRESIA Makes a Difference

We operate Village Lumière not just as a shelter, but as a family-integrated community. We focus on providing the stability that these children lost — or never had. Our statistics show that children in our care have a 95% higher rate of completing secondary school compared to orphans living on the street.