IJM Vice President of Government Relations Holly Burkhalter discussed the vital necessity of rule of law in the aftermath of the January 12th earthquake in Haiti. In addition to the law enforcement measures taken to reduce violence and looting in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake, she emphasized the urgent need for focused efforts to investigate and interdict the trafficking and exploitation of children.

» Listen to the interview [KRSO.com]

International NGO raises concern about security of tens of thousands of orphaned children

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As chaos continues to build in the wake of the January 12 earthquake in Haiti, global concern for the welfare of the country’s children – particularly those who have lost parents in this catastrophe – also grows. Aid groups now report that tens of thousands of children have been orphaned by the quake.

GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA – First step. First word. Favorite food. All these important milestones in the life of an infant have been carefully recorded in baby books by the members of a mother’s group in Guatemala City.

But this is no ordinary mother’s group. Made up of IJM Guatemala clients between the ages of 13 and 18 who became mothers as the result of abuse, this special group was formed in 2008 to meet the critical needs of these clients, who are not only healing from the abuse they have suffered, but learning how to care for children as well. This group’s bi-weekly meetings are a safe place for clients to talk about their struggles and to learn how to care for their babies.