PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Ongoing violence in Haiti jeopardizes the education of over 100,000 displaced children in the southern region, according to a recent statement. The alarming rise in armed gang activities, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince, is intensifying pressures on local communities and destabilizing already fragile social services.
Recent reports indicate that more than 270,000 people have fled toward the south of the country due to escalating violence.
Educational Challenges for Displaced Families
As the new school year begins, displaced families are faced with the significant challenge of securing education for their children amid ongoing upheaval.
“Local educational services are overwhelmed by the sudden influx of displaced children, complicating efforts to provide for school-aged children due to ongoing violence,” a representative noted during visits to affected family areas. “Every child deserves access to a safe education to help shape a promising future for Haiti.”
Strain on Educational Resources
The arrival of roughly 103,000 displaced school-aged children in the Grand South region is severely straining educational services. Concurrently, nearly 919 schools in the West and Artibonite regions have closed, impacting approximately 156,000 students and resulting in significant loss of academic time due to these disruptions.
Efforts to Sustain Education
To combat these challenges, initiatives are underway to collaborate with the Haitian government to lessen the impact on education. Strategies include rehabilitating damaged schools, establishing temporary learning spaces, enhancing teacher capabilities, and providing essential educational materials.
Additionally, cash transfers to affected families are being facilitated to help alleviate financial burdens associated with school expenses.
An urgent call for $87 million in funding has been made to sustain these efforts, as only $5.4 million had been raised by August 1.
The global community is being urged to offer critical support to meet these educational needs, ensuring that every child can return to school and resume their educational pathways.
Agricultural Support Needed
Moreover, urgent funding is essential to aid over half a million individuals in Haiti to prevent starvation and alleviate suffering. Since February, heightened violence and mass displacement have severely diminished agricultural output and disrupted markets, rendering approximately five million people in acute hunger.
Calls have been made for the international community to secure $48 million to assist 608,000 individuals with urgent agricultural activities.
