Gang violence is escalating in Haiti, presenting severe challenges for the government in funding basic education nationwide. The United Nations (U.N.) Fund reports that Haiti’s $23 million deficit is resulting in shortages of essential school supplies and necessities like chairs, blackboards and bathrooms.

The Impact of Gang Violence

The U.N. estimates that gang violence affects 2.7 million Haitians, including more than 600,000 children. Since the assassination of former President Jovenel Moise, gang activity has surged dramatically. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, gangs killed or injured 2,500 Haitians, a 53% increase from the previous reporting period. Gangs frequently target institutions, including schools, exacerbating poverty across the country. For example, in March, escalating violence forced the closure of the main port in Port-au-Prince, cutting off food supplies and leaving millions hungry.

A Lack of Safety in Schools

In Haiti’s school systems, many teachers are forced to pay gangs to ensure the safety of their students. In Sept. 2021, seven schools paid these armed gangs. With already scarce funding, such payments leave schools lacking essential teaching tools. By the end of Jan. 2024, 900 schools had temporarily shut down due to security concerns. On March 25, gangs set fire to 23 classrooms in a Port-au-Prince school, further destabilizing the education environment.

Amid widespread violence and targeted attacks on schools in Haiti, many families opt not to send their children to school out of fear for their safety. Gang violence has displaced thousands, forcing many to seek refuge in makeshift shelters within school buildings, prompting further school closures. Additionally, a $23 million deficit leaves schools starkly unequipped, lacking even basic furniture like benches or chairs. A 22-year-old Haitian student highlighted the dire conditions to ABC News, stating, “The hardest part of this is that there are no bathrooms.”

Nonprofit Work

The Haiti Education Foundation and Hope for Haiti are actively working to alleviate the educational debt and enhance the schooling system for children by providing scholarships, training teachers and supplying essential back-to-school items. The Haiti Education Foundation is currently matching donations from Sept. 1 through Dec. 15. Additionally, Hope for Haiti is organizing various events, including Celebrating Hope in Greenwich, Connecticut on October 3rd, featuring a silent auction to support Haitian families. Moreover, the U.N. Global Fund Education Cannot Wait has committed a $2.5 million grant aimed at assisting 75,000 children with cash transfers, school feeding programs and other vital initiatives.

Looking Ahead

The escalating gang violence in Haiti severely undermines the country’s education system, leaving schools vulnerable and underfunded. Due to Haiti’s $23 million deficit, many schools struggle to provide even the most necessities, forcing closures and compromising student safety. Nonprofits like the Haiti Education Foundation and Hope for Haiti are stepping in to offer crucial support, but the challenges remain immense as the nation grapples with both violence and a lack of resources.

– Madeline Rozmus

Madeline is based in Greenwich, CT, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr