Amid increasing violence and political instability in Haiti, children in urban classrooms are increasingly becoming the targets of theft or ransoms, UNICEF warns.

Since the start of the school year in September, at least 7 schools in and around Port-au-Prince have already been forced to pay armed gangs in exchange for safety, and others have been threatened. Most of them are located in areas of the city controlled by gangs. The amount of money the gangs are asking for is usually equivalent to the tuition fees of three students per class.

"In areas controlled by the gangs, school directors and teachers are constantly under threat and, if they refuse to pay, their schools come under attack," said Jean Gough, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. "Across the capital city, more and more fear at school means less and less learning. Gangs are rapidly turning temples of knowledge into theatres of violence."

This year, increased gang criminality has further limited access to schools and prevented hundreds of children from starting or resuming their education. In the past few months, attacks on schools have been reported, mainly in major urban centres. Rising threats and acts of gun violence forced some school directors to relocate their schools to other areas out of control of the gangs.

Gang violence continues to physically and emotionally affect Haitian children. A few days ago, a six-year-old was injured in a shootout in the street, a UNICEF partner reported. Last week, gunmen attacked a center housing victims of gang violence, kidnappings and sexual violence.

UNICEF urges all actors to respect education facilities and calls upon the Government of Haiti to ensure security in and around schools and take firm action to address gang violence against children.

HL/ HaitiLibre