Gang-related violence in Haiti has escalated and many families are forced to flee their homes. Many have chosen to leave the capital, Port-au-Prince, while many who have no other places to go are living in schools and government buildings that have been turned into camps.
"We hope and pray that the situation will get better soon because too many children are suffering mentally and physically. It is important to remember that the children of today will be the adults of tomorrow, so it has to be our priority to lessen the level of trauma that will have a direct impact on Haiti's future."
All 66 children in the SOS Children’s Village Port-au-Prince-Santo are safe. In the other children’s villages in Les Cayes and Cap Haïtian, everyone is safe and activities continue as usual. However, the crisis in Port-au-Prince impacts the other provinces as, for example, prices of goods have increased dramatically.
“All children under our care are safe,” says Ms. Faimy Loiseau, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Haiti. “They don’t go out as schools are still not open. We continue to monitor the situation. For our family strengthening program, we are working on ways to support families the best that we can as their situation has worsened due to the security difficulties.
“The children and staff in our family-like care program have enough supplies for a month and there are also emergency supplies in case things get worse. They continue to go to school remotely,” adds Ms. Loiseau.
Children from local communities who attend the SOS Children’s Villages school also participate in remote learning. For families in the city without internet access or smartphones, teachers provide printed homework for parents to collect outside the school.
As conditions have slightly improved in certain areas, the SOS Children’s Villages National Office is now open three days a week, with staff working remotely for two days.
This video from 2023, highlights just some of the challenges already facing the people of Haiti, prior to this increased violence and fear.
