CONANI denies plans for Haitian-only shelter in Dajabón

Santo Domingo.- The National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI) has clarified that it will not be establishing a shelter specifically for Haitian children in Dajabón. Instead, the idea stems from a proposal by local social organizations to create a temporary shelter aimed at assisting vulnerable minors in the northwest region, regardless of nationality.

CONANI reaffirmed its commitment to protecting all children in the Dominican Republic, in accordance with national and international laws, including the Constitution, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and Law 136-03. Through the Protocol for the Identification, Care, and Protection of Children in Human Mobility, CONANI ensures temporary protection, assessing each case individually to determine whether the child can be reunited with family in the country or should be returned to their home country through a documented and assisted process.

In coordination with the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) and other relevant institutions, CONANI continues to uphold due process and prioritize the best interests of the child. During the first quarter of the year, 229 unaccompanied minors were assisted—63 reunited with family and 166 repatriated to Haiti with support from the Institute for Social Welfare and Research (IBESR).