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U.N. reports sharp rise in school closures in Haiti; calls for $61 million education response
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Summary
U.N. humanitarian partners say armed violence in Haiti has forced more than 1,600 schools to close as of late April, disrupting education for more than 243,000 children; the U.N. said the education response needs roughly $61 million but had received under $6 million.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs told a U.N. press briefing that armed violence and insecurity in Haiti have forced widespread school closures and left many children out of school.
OCHA said that as of late April more than 1,600 schools had been forced to close across several departments, disrupting learning for more than 243,000 children. The agency said this represents a roughly 60% increase in closures in four months, up from 960 schools closed at the start of the year. Many closed schools are being used as collective shelters for displaced people; the agency said 166 schools have been relocated, often under precarious conditions.
Nut graf: U.N. partners said the education response plan for Haiti requires more than $61,000,000 to support temporary learning spaces, school kits, mental health and psychosocial support, water and sanitation, and measures to secure schools. To date, officials said the education response has received less than $6,000,000.
OCHA emphasized immediate priorities including temporary learning spaces, school kits for at least 100,000 children, mental health and psychosocial support for students and teachers, and improved water and sanitation at learning sites. The agency warned that interrupted education increases protection risks, including exploitation and recruitment of children by gangs.
Ending: The U.N. said coordination with national authorities and partners continues to try to preserve children's right to learning during the crisis.
