The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) announced that the education of more than 100,000 school-aged displaced children in the Grand South region of Haiti is at risk. The ongoing wave of violence, particularly in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, has put immense pressure on local communities and their already fragile social services.
In a statement released today, Bruno Maes, UNICEF Representative in Haiti, said: "For many families in Haiti, the start of the school year is a cherished moment of hope and renewal, but with more than 270,000 people fleeing to the south, displaced families are facing daunting challenges in securing education 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"
Maes urged the international 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 educational journey.
UNICEF's statement explained that the arrival of 103,000 displaced school-aged children in the Grand South region has placed severe pressure on educational services, while nearly 919 schools across the country have been closed in the West and Artibonite regions. The organization added that around 156,000 students have been affected, with many children losing a significant portion of their school year due to closures and the ongoing violence. UNICEF also highlighted the urgent need for $87 million to address the back-to-school needs resulting from this crisis. However, as of Aug. 1, 2024, only approximately $5.4 million had been raised.
Haiti has been facing a deepening crisis for months, marked by escalating violence and crime in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and other areas, severely complicating the security situation. This has led to a critical shortage of essential services despite international efforts to support the country.