Nearly 3,000 displaced people live in a former school in port-au-prince

Nearly 3,000 people displaced by violence now live in a former school in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

The building, which previously hosted about 500 pupils, serves as a communal living space where residents share corridors and kitchens. Families like that of Michel, a 44-year-old former teacher, occupy individual classrooms while relying on shared resources. Residents cook large quantities of rice in communal pots and queue at water tanks to meet their daily needs.

While some people sell small items to earn money, many families depend on humanitarian aid to survive. The displacement occurred after armed men attacked neighborhoods, looting property and setting homes on fire. Michel and his wife, Islande, lost their livelihoods and had to flee multiple times before reaching the school. Although some of their children attend classes, the family faces uncertainty regarding their future and the youngest child's education.

A local group also uses the site to provide psychosocial support to children, offering them a space to play and receive attention amidst the crowded conditions. Humanitarian organizations provide food, healthcare, and sanitation services, but resources remain insufficient. The Humanitarian Needs and Respond Plan aims to assist 4.2 million people, yet it currently has only 49 percent of its 880 million US dollar funding.

Pierre, the site president, advocates for programs that teach young people practical trades like plumbing or tiling to help them rebuild their lives. He argues that emergency relief alone cannot solve the crisis, as communities need safer neighborhoods and real opportunities to earn a living.