Haiti: Education in Peril Amid Armed Violence, Plan International Steps Up

In a statement published on March 20, 2025, the organization Plan International raises the alarm: persistent violence in Haiti deprives thousands of children of their right to education and exposes them to an increased risk of recruitment by armed groups. As the education system collapses and child rights violations multiply, an entire generation is threatened with falling into exclusion and exploitation.

An Education System in Agony

The assessment conducted by Plan International in the South and Southeast departments, where over 260,000 internally displaced persons have fled the violence in Port-au-Prince, reveals a critical situation. More than 90% of children living in these makeshift camps are deprived of schooling due to insecurity and a lack of adequate infrastructure.

Plan International reports that since January 2024, over 900 schools have been forced to close their doors, either due to attacks, fear of violence, or because they have been converted into shelters for displaced persons. The exodus of teachers and the disorganization of the education system plunge children into an uncertain future.

Forced Recruitment and Gender-Based Violence

The international NGO also warns of the risk of forced recruitment of children by armed groups. Some are enlisted as young as 10 years old, while others view this affiliation as a means of economic survival. This phenomenon constitutes a blatant violation of international law.

Concurrently, gender-based violence has reached alarming levels. In 2024, over 6,400 cases were recorded, including sexual violence used as a weapon of war. Young girls are particularly vulnerable, with an increased risk of early and unwanted pregnancies. Nearly 50% of these acts of violence occurred during the forced displacement of families.

“The world cannot turn its back on Haiti”

Faced with this unprecedented humanitarian crisis, affecting over six million people, Plan International calls for immediate intervention. The organization is establishing safe spaces for children, providing psychosocial support, and ensuring educational continuity through financial aid programs and coverage of school fees.

As insecurity continues to worsen, threatening the country's stability and the future of its young generations, Plan International urges the international community to intensify its support to prevent an entire generation from being sacrificed.

It should be recalled that, according to the latest UNODC report, gangs are composed of 30 to 50% children, a 70% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year. With education already in peril, increasing poverty, and lost territories, the crisis is expected to become much more severe.