One Week After Hurricane Matthew, At Least 300 Schools Damaged in Haiti, Over 100,000 Children Miss Out on Learning – UNICEF
NEW YORK (October 10, 2016) – One week after Hurricane Matthew slammed into Haiti, and as schools reopen across the country, more than 100,000 children will be missing out on learning after their schools were either damaged or converted into shelters.
“At least 100,000 children today will not experience the joy, safety and stimulation that being in a classroom brings,” said Jean Metenier, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Haiti. “We need to get them back to learning as soon as possible. Hurricane Matthew took away their schools, homes and textbooks. It shouldn’t take away their sense of hope.”
According to initial national estimates, at least 300 public schools have been partially or entirely damaged in the country and many others are being used to shelter displaced families. Schools in Sud and Grande Anse departments will remain closed for at least another week.
UNICEF is working with partners to help set up temporary learning spaces and deliver school supplies. Priorities include:
- Rehabilitate damaged schools;
- Provide students and teachers with adequate school supplies, schools furniture and teaching materials; and
- Provide children with psychosocial support.
How to help: For more information or to make a tax-deductible contribution to UNICEF’s emergency relief efforts in the region, please contact the U.S. Fund for UNICEF:
Website: www.unicefusa.org/Matthew
Toll free: 1-800-FOR-KIDS
Text RELIEF to 864233 (UNICEF) to donate $10
Mail: 125 Maiden Lane, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10038
As with any emergency, in the event that donations exceed anticipated needs, the U.S. Fund will redirect any excess funds to children in greatest need.
Download new photos and broll from: http://weshare.unicef.org/Package/2AMZIFM2233
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
For more information, contact:
Chloe Kay, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 917.214.1418, ckay@unicefusa.org