UNITED NATIONS – UNICEF warned on Wednesday that the ongoing violence in Haiti is putting the education of over 100,000 displaced children in jeopardy.
The agency said that the continued surge in armed gang activity in the Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas has put immense pressure on local communities and the fragile social services.
Bruno Maes, UNICEF Representative in Haiti, noted that over 270,000 people have fled to the south of Haiti.
He noted that displaced families face the daunting challenge of securing classroom placements for their children as the school new year begins.
“Local services are struggling to accommodate the influx of displaced school-aged children as well because of the disruptions from ongoing violence,” said Mr. Maes.
“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.
Some 919 schools in the West and Artibonite regions have been closed.
Over 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 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 facilitating cash transfers to affected families to help cover school-related expenses and alleviate financial burdens.
UN agency asking $87 million for these efforts and is appealed for greater financial support as only $5.4 million had been raised by 1 August.
Mr. 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”.
Food and Agriculture Organization highlighted the need for urgent funding to assist more than half a million people in Haiti to prevent further starvation and suffering.
The escalating violence and increased displacement have significantly reduced agricultural production and disrupted markets, leaving half the population, around five million people, in acute hunger.
FAO has called on the international community to secure $48 million to assist 608,000 people with emergency agriculture activities.
