Haitian schools resumption eased by MSSM

The education sector in Haiti has been among the hardest hit by gang activities. Attacks, abductions, and the forced recruitment of children have made gangs the primary threat to peace-loving Haitians.
In line with (Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) mandate, they are actively working to ensure that schools reopen and learning resumes across the country.
In gang-controlled areas, prominent schools have been forced to close and relocate. A notable example is the Dessalines Le Grand school in Delmas 19, which was established in 2009. The school has relocated three times due to gang violence. Once home to 6,000 students, the school now has less than 300 pupils.
It has sought refuge at L’Institution Mixte de la Grâce, which currently hosts six different schools also displaced by gang activities. Within the small compound, overcrowded classrooms hold students from different grades together.
Raphaël Kimberlie, Emil Maranattha, and Désseus Chilanda led their classmates in singing a Swahili Catholic song that has gained popularity in Haiti.
“Many of the students are orphans, having witnessed their parents killed by gangs. This has left them emotionally scarred, prompting the school to offer psychosocial counseling to those affected” Jack Ombaka MSS Director Strategic Communications and Spokesperson.
The school community’s prayer is for MSSM to liberate areas around Cité Soleil and Croix-des-Bouquets, enabling them to return to their original institutions.
Elsewhere,MSSM and Haiti National Police have maintained a strong presence at the Police Academy in Haiti ensuring uninterrupted training for new recruits. High-level strategic meetings between senior MSSM and HNP officials continue to strengthen security at the academy and stabilize nearby neighborhoods like Vif Mitchel.
The National Police Academy, once under threat from the notorious Kraze Baryè gang led by Vitel’Homme Innocent, reopened in August last year and recently celebrated the graduation of over 700 officers. This milestone was made possible through the bold decision of HNP Director General Normil Rameau and MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge, who established the first MSS Forward Operating Base (FOB) at the academy, paving the way for the training of new officers.
Director Sem Prescind expressed gratitude to the Kenyan contingent stationed there. He says their presence has been instrumental in ensuring the continued operation of the institution and the safety of its recruits.