UNICEF warns education in jeopardy amid continued gang violence in Haiti

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Wednesday that ongoing violence in Haiti is putting the education of over 100,000 displaced children in the south at risk.

“The continued surge in armed gang activity, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and surrounding areas, has put immense pressure on local communities and their already fragile social services,” UNICEF said.

Bruno Maes, UNICEF Representative in Haiti, noted that more than 270,000 people have fled to the south of the country.

With the start of the new school year, he said displaced families face the daunting challenge of securing classroom placements for their children.

“Local services are struggling to accommodate the influx of displaced school-aged children as well because of the disruptions from ongoing violence,” said Maes, who is currently visiting impacted families in the region. “Children deserve the right to a safe education, so they can create a bright and thriving future for Haiti.”

UNICEF said the arrival of 103,000 displaced school-aged children in the Grand South region has placed a severe strain on educational services.

At the same time, nearly 919 schools in the West and Artibonite regions have been closed, UNICEF said.

As a result, it said about 156,000 students have been affected, and many children have lost a substantial portion of their academic year due to the school closures and ongoing violence.

UNICEF said it is working intensively with the Haitian Government to mitigate the impact on education, including by rehabilitating damaged schools, setting up temporary learning spaces, strengthening the capacity of teachers and other personnel and providing essential educational materials.

It is also facilitating cash transfers to affected families to help cover school-related expenses and alleviate financial burdens.

However, the UN agency said it urgently needs US$87 million to continue these efforts and is appealing for greater financial support as about only US$5.4 million had been raised by August 1.

Maes urged the global community “to provide the necessary support to address these critical needs and ensure that every child has the opportunity to return to school and continue their learning journey.”

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) also highlighted the need for urgent funding to assist more than half a million people in Haiti to prevent further starvation and suffering.

“Since February, escalating violence and increased displacement have significantly reduced agricultural production and disrupted markets, leaving half the population, around five million people, in acute hunger,” said the FAO, calling on the international community to secure US$48 million to assist 608,000 people with emergency agriculture activities. —UNITED NATIONS, (CMC)

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