PORT – AU- PRINCE, Haiti – Instability in Haiti continues to lead to mass school closures, leaving thousands of children without access to education, the UN said on Tuesday.
Over 900 schools are closed in the Ouest and Artibonite departments, which impacts 156,000 young people.
Specifically, in the Ouest department, which includes the capital Port-au-Prince, 39 schools are currently being used as sites for displaced people (IDPs), while at least 20 other schools are occupied by various armed groups and gangs.
“I can tell you that ourselves and our humanitarian partners on the ground are concerned about the impact of the persisting insecurity on access to education, with the school year set to start in September,” said UN sokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, speaking during his daily briefing from New York.
Education Cannot Wait, the UN’s fund for education in emergency and crisis situations, recently allocated $2.5 million to support schooling efforts in Haiti.
Still, the current $674 million Humanitarian Response Plan for the country is only 25 percent funded, with $170 million met. Dujarric called for further support to address the ongoing crisis.
“I am extremely concerned about increasing tensions in Venezuela, with worrying reports of violence since last Sunday’s election.
Demonstrations have been taking place in at least 17 out of Venezuela’s 24 states, including the capital. Hundreds of people have been arrested, including children.
This troubles me deeply.
I am alarmed by reports of disproportionate use of force by law enforcement officials along with violence by armed individuals supporting the Government, known as colectivos. Several protesters have been injured by firearms, with one confirmed death on 29 July. More allegations are still pending verification.
Those responsible for human rights violations must be held to account.
Venezuela is at a critical juncture. I urge the authorities to respect the rights of all Venezuelans to assemble and protest peacefully and express their views freely and without fear.
All Venezuelans have a right to participate meaningfully in the decisions that affect their lives and the future of their country, including through credible elections.
I add my voice to the secretary-general’s call on Monday for electoral disputes to be settled peacefully, with complete transparency, including the timely publication of the election results with a breakdown by polling stations.
“Electoral authorities should undertake their work independently and without interference, in order to guarantee the free expression of the will of voters and safeguard their rights.”
