Haiti

A devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti in August 2021. Consequently, there were mass casualties, widespread damage to infrastructure and the displacement of thousands of families from their homes, particularly in the southwest portion of the island. Many classrooms were damaged or destroyed. Students not only lost their access to learning, but they also lost the stability and safety provided by a holistic education. This includes access to essential services such as school meals, and the protection from a wide range of risks, including violence, sexual abuse and exploitation, child trafficking, adolescent pregnancy and child marriage.

Prior to the earthquake, children and adolescents in Haiti were already impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, gang-related violence, widespread poverty and other crises. Millions of children previously needed humanitarian assistance, and the disaster led to several hundred thousand more needing emergency support.

To support girls and boys in Haiti, ECW rapidly allocated funds for partners to provide safe, gender-responsive, and inclusive learning environments. The Programme addresses the mental health and psychosocial (MHPSS) needs of students; trains educators to ensure quality education and know how to refer GBV survivors; creates safe learning environments; and provides essential services that address the well-being of students, including nutritious meals and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities and menstrual health management.