‘Surely, the drone operators see the schools’
Published on June 10, 2026
The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), through its Resilience Fund, supports CHFF in Cité Soleil as part of its broader commitment to strengthening community resilience and safeguarding civic space in contexts affected by organized violence.
Mr. Onel François, Director of the Petit Cœur de Jesus School in Cité Soleil, is raising serious concerns regarding the escalation of government drone operations in the area since mid-January. According to his account, the increased frequency of aerial strikes has heightened risks for densely populated civilian neighborhoods, including zones where schools remain operational.
Despite the pervasive presence of armed groups in parts of Cité Soleil, a significant number of educational institutions continue to function. Parents, students, and teachers have made the difficult and courageous decision to maintain schooling activities, underscoring both their commitment to education and the absence of viable alternatives for children in the community. These schools are not peripheral spaces: they are critical civilian institutions serving minors and families who remain resident in the area.
Mr. François has reached out to the Ministry of Education, as well as human rights organizations and members of the press, to convey an urgent message to national authorities. He stresses that Cité Soleil remains home to large numbers of civilians, including children and elderly residents, who are not party to hostilities.
He therefore calls upon law enforcement authorities to exercise strict restraint in the conduct of security operations and to ensure full compliance with the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution in order to prevent unnecessary civilian harm. The protection of schools and other civilian infrastructure must remain a priority, even in the context of efforts to reassert state authority and confront armed actors.
