Haitian children need Safe Latrine and Water for drinking and hand-washing at school

Haiti's School Children need Clean Drinking Water and Toilets. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the World Bank, international donors, and the government of Haiti (GOH) to begin providing school children with clean toilets and safe drinking water. They are gathering at a donors' conference in Washington D.C., to increase funding commitments toward clean drinking water and an improved sanitation and health system on the island.

ADVERTISEMENT


HRW has discovered almost 60% of Haitian schools lack toilets, with over 75% having no access to water. Even recently completed schools, built with funds contributed by international donors, HRW found did not meet government guidelines, lacking both sufficient water and sanitation facilities. Consequently, students are missing classroom time, at home ill with diarrhea. HRW is asking the World Bank to lead on this issue by supporting basic rights of school children to clean drinking water, and proper and adequate sanitation facilities at their schools. HRW's Amanda Klasing says "The majority of children in Haiti attend schools in such poor condition . . . they risk contracting disease . . ."

She points to a survey GOH did, revealing school children from 5 to 19 ". . . have the highest incidences of cholera among all age groups . . ."The GOH and the international community must ensure children have adequate water and sanitation conditions and meet GOH water infrastructure guidelines across the board, whether for new or existing education infrastructure. This means coordination and oversight committees. No excuse exists for not getting the job done.

Reply to this article

Read more: food, child, Water, Drinking Water, Health

« Santo Domingo Justice Ministry Rescues Victims of Child Traffickers | Main | SOS Children's Village Les Cayes »

Return to Articles List

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

E-mail (required, will not be published)

Subject: Haitian children need Safe Latrine and Water for drinking and hand-washing at school edit

» »

Our objective is to share with you news and information about Haiti and the people of Haiti. Traditions, habits and the way we were  or  grew are alive in this site. We highly recommend that you Subscribe to our Newsletter and also share with us some of the things that are memorable and made us unique people.