
Armed Violence Against Schools in Haiti on the Rise, UNICEF Warns
PORT-AU-PRINCE/PANAMA CITY/NEW YORK, 9 FEBRUARY 2023 – Acts of armed violence against schools in Haiti have increased nine-fold in one year, as rising insecurity and widespread unrest begin to cripple the country’s education system, according to a warning from UNICEF.
In the first four months of the academic year (October to February), 72 schools were reportedly targeted, compared to eight during the same period last year. This includes at least 13 schools targeted by armed groups, one school set on fire, one student killed, and at least two staff members kidnapped. In the first six days of February alone, 30 schools were shuttered due to escalating violence in urban areas, and over a quarter of schools have remained closed since October 2022.
"In Haiti, schools have always been considered and respected as safe havens, but in the past few months they have become targets for violence,” said UNICEF Representative in Haiti Bruno Maes. “In certain urban areas of the country, armed groups consider looting schools as a lucrative alternative to other forms of extortion and crime. This must stop. The targeting of schools by armed groups is having an enormous impact on children’s safety, well-being, and ability to learn.”
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 60% of Port-au-Prince is controlled by armed groups. When these groups target schools, they often loot equipment, including desks, benches, boards, laptops, photocopiers, batteries, and solar panels. They also steal school meals, including rice, dough, maize, and canteen equipment.
Due to the rising social unrest, many school principals have closed schools to protect students from potential attacks. As a result, in January 2023, students lost an average of one and a half school days per week. Without action to protect schools from violence, UNICEF predicts that students will lose 36 school days by the end of June.
In addition to armed violence, social unrest has also impacted students’ ability to learn. On 26 January, for example, students were forced to evacuate schools during violent street protests over the killing of 14 police personnel.
"As children reel from the effects of armed violence, insecurity in Haiti shows no sign of abating,” said Maes. “We must act urgently to protect children’s lives and futures.”
Despite the escalating violence and insecurity in the country, the Haitian Ministry of Education has made efforts to reopen schools, with 3 in 4 schools reopening by December 2022, compared to less than 1 in 10 in October.
UNICEF is calling on all actors to refrain from actions that jeopardize children’s right to education and is urging the Government of Haiti to ensure schools are safe and to hold accountable groups and individuals who harm or threaten children in schools.