Haitian schools become a new target for armed gangs

Schools have become a new target for the armed gangs that ravage Haiti. According to data collected by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) attacks by these groups have multiplied by nine in the first four months of the academic year, which began in October.

Acts of violence include shootings, looting and kidnapping. In all, 72 schools were attacked compared to eight during the same period last year.

Those figures include at least 13 schools attacked by armed groups, one set on fire, one student killed and at least two teachers kidnapped, according to reports from UNICEF cooperating partners.

In the first six days of February alone, 30 schools were closed as a result of the escalation of violence in urban areas, while more than one in four has remained closed since October last year.

“Increased insecurity and widespread unrest begin to paralyze the country’s education system”, UNICEF warned after disclosing these data.

Bruno Maes, UNICEF representative in the Caribbean country, assures that schools in Haiti have always been considered and respected as safe havens, but in recent months they have become targets of violence.

Looting, a lucrative alternative

“In some urban areas of the country, armed groups consider the looting of schools as a lucrative alternative to other forms of extortion and crime. This must end. The attack on schools by armed groups is having a huge impact on the safety, well-being and learning ability of children,” Maes said.

It is estimated that in Haiti there are one million children out of school due to social unrest and insecurity, the high costs of education, the lack of support for the most vulnerable and poor educational services, while violence against schools is it is fast becoming a reason for parents to keep their children at home.

According to Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 60% of Port-au-Prince, the country’s capital, is controlled by armed groups.

When these gangs attack schools, They often loot school supplies, including desks, benches, blackboards, laptops, photocopiers, batteries, and solar panels.. Sacks of rice, masa and corn used for school meals, a livelihood for countless children, as well as dining supplies have also been stolen.

learning is affected

With the increase in social unrest in recent weeks, many school principals have taken the decision to close them to protect children from possible attacks. As a result, by January 2023, children will miss an average of one and a half days of school per week.

Without urgent action to protect schools from violence, UNICEF predicts that students will miss some 36 days of school by the end of June.

In addition to gang violence, social unrest has also affected children’s ability to learn. On January 26, for example, children were forced to evacuate schools as violent street protests over the murder of 14 police officers spread across the country.

“While children reel from the effects of gun violence, insecurity in Haiti shows no sign of abating,” Maes said. “Violence continues to take a heavy toll on the lives of children in and around Port-au-Prince, and schools are no longer spared. A child who is afraid to go to school is a child more exposed to being recruited by armed groups. We must act urgently to protect the lives and futures of children.”

Despite escalating violence and insecurity in the country, the Haitian Ministry of Education has intensified its efforts to open schools, with three out of four reopening by December 2022, compared to less than one in October.

UNICEF urges all actors to refrain from any action that jeopardizes the right of children to education and calls on the Government of Haiti to ensure that schools are safe and hold accountable groups and individuals who harm or threaten children.