Haitian children turn to begging in DR after quake

[cory777]

Source: AP

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — From the white-sand beaches at the edge of all-inclusive resorts to the gritty streets of the capital, more Haitian children are begging on the streets of the Dominican Republic — a sign that the economic gulf between the neighboring nations has grown wider since the Jan. 12 earthquake.

Haitian children, some believed to be brought by traffickers, roam the fruit stands and dangerous medians, collecting pesos from passers-by as they dart through smoggy traffic. No one knows how many, but their presence has grown by the dozens over the past six months, aid groups say.

"They are vulnerable to all kinds of dangers in the streets," said Maria Elena Asaud, a UNICEF child-protection expert in the Dominican Republic.

Those dangers include being abused, forced into prostitution and exploited by traffickers for their begging wages.

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