Haiti: Drone attacks raise serious human rights concerns and threaten children 

Responding to the latest figures from The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) on people killed and injured during security operations against armed gangs in Haiti, including drone attacks reportedly supported at times by a private military company, Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International, said:

“The use of armed drones in densely populated urban areas sets an alarming precedent in Haiti and places the population, especially children, at direct risk. Their use is resulting in probable extrajudicial executions. Haitian authorities must prevent their unlawful use and clarify who is operating these drones and under what legal framework they are being deployed.”

“The use of armed drones in densely populated urban areas sets an alarming precedent in Haiti and places the population, especially children, at direct risk.”

Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International

Amnesty International warned in a public statement that this new pattern of violence is deepening the crisis already devastating children in Haiti. According to the organization’s February 2025 report, children are being recruited by criminal gangs, subjected to sexual violence and killings, and deprived of access to education, healthcare and even the most basic protection.

“Using armed drones indiscriminately against children is simply shocking and profoundly cruel,” said Ana Piquer. “The Haitian state must protect children, not expose them to new forms of violence through the use of lethal technology. While resources are being directed toward militarization, millions of children are living with fear, hunger and without the possibility of attending school. Protecting children must be at the center of any response to the crisis.”

The Haitian state must protect children, not expose them to new forms of violence through the use of lethal technology. While resources are being directed toward militarization, millions of children are living with fear, hunger and without the possibility of attending school. Protecting children must be at the center of any response to the crisis.”

Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact press@amnesty.org

The post Haiti: Drone attacks raise serious human rights concerns and threaten children  appeared first on Amnesty International.

Hekla Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: MAX PLUME HEIGHT OF 20KM.

Satellite image of Hekla volcano on 12 May 2026

Volcanic Ash Advisory Center London (VAAC) issued the following report:

FVXX01 at 15:23 UTC, 12/05/26 from EGRR
VA ADVISORY
STATUS: EXER
DTG: 20260512/1513Z
VAAC: LONDON
VOLCANO: HEKLA 372070
PSN: N6359 W01940
AREA: ICELAND
SOURCE ELEV: 1490M AMSL
ADVISORY NR: 2026/001
INFO SOURCE: IMO
ERUPTION DETAILS: MAX PLUME HEIGHT OF 20KM.
OBS VA DTG: 12/1506Z
OBS VA CLD: NOT AVBL VA NOT IDENTIFIABLE FM SATELLITE DATA WIND
SFC/FL200 350/30KT
FCST VA CLD +6 HR: 12/2106Z NOT AVBL
FCST VA CLD +12 HR: 13/0306Z NOT AVBL
FCST VA CLD +18 HR: 13/0906Z NOT AVBL
RMK: EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE
NXT ADVISORY: NO LATER THAN 20260512/1606Z
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