In its last report the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicates that, at the level of education, out of the 1,991 schools evaluated to date, 495 in the past week, around 1,633 have been damaged, what's affects around 490,000 children.

Stating that the unoccupied schools in the South have gradually reopened as from 18 October. The Ministry of Education has reported that 215 schools in 4 out of 6 districts have resumed classes for about 50,000 students. Through implementing partners, UNICEF has started rehabilitation efforts in 30 schools: 22 in Grand’Anse and 8 in Sud. By early December, 24 schools in Grand‘Anse should be ready to welcome children back to classrooms.

The Departmental Directorate of Education announced that 29 schools reopened, and 3,409 children returned to school in Grand’Anse on 7 November.

UNICEF partners in the education sector have committed to rehabilitate approximately 59 per cent of affected schools. For the remaining 41 per cent, funds are still lacking to cover rehabilitation activities, including school supplies and furniture, until the end of the year.

OCHA points out that due to unseasonably heavy rains resulting in flooded roads and property damage, the number of

children who have returned to class this week remains very low. In highly-affected communes such as Abricot, on the north coast of Grand’Anse, schools remain closed. Data collection by the local Directorate of Education is ongoing in the area.