Young mother struggles to provide for family amidst Haiti hunger crisis
Mothers like Dina are struggling to feed their families due to the hunger crisis in Haiti.
HUNGER CRISIS IN HAITI
Some 4.3 million people are in risk of acute food insecurity in Haiti, making it one of the hungriest countries in the world.
Act now. Save lives.
Haiti is among the hungriest places in the world and has one of the highest levels of chronic food insecurity with 22% of children chronically malnourished. Around 4.3 million people are in need of urgent assistance.
The crisis also affects children’s rights around health and education, and protection from child labour, sexual exploitation, child marriage, teenage pregnancies, as well as limiting their access to menstrual hygiene products.
Why is there a hunger crisis in Haiti?
The crisis in Haiti has resulted from several internal events in recent years that have affected political, economic and social stability. However, 5 main events have exacerbated the situation:
- The assassination of President Moïse in July 2021 triggered insecurity, increased violence, kidnappings, civil unrest and increased food insecurity.
- The 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the south of the country in August 2021.
- Gang warfare in the capital, Port-au-Prince, has reached new heights of intensity and brutality during 2022, and the amount of territory they control has reached unprecedented levels.
- Poor rainfall from 2021 has caused low harvests.
- The cholera outbreak in 2022 has resulted in over 20,000 cases, half of which are children.
Gang violence and political uncertainty remain among the main drivers of insecurity and social unrest. A situation that affects the most vulnerable children and families.
There are also external factors adding to the crisis. Climate change is making extreme weather events like drought more frequent and driving hunger to unprecedented levels. The economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and soaring prices of food, fuel and fertiliser due to the conflict in Ukraine have led to crises combining to worsen the situation.
Stories from hunger crisis-hit families
What is Plan International doing?
We are working with communities, partners and families to provide life-saving support to those most in need.
This includes:
- Cash and voucher asssistance so vulnerable families can provide for their needs
- Education so children can continue to learn during the crisis
- Keeping children safe
- Providing hygiene kits and information to prevent serious disease
- Providing water storage kits and improving water systems
- Raising awareness of sexual and reproductive rights and providing dignity kits.
We will continue with these efforts but as the situation deteriorates, we need your support. Your support will help us reach the most vulnerable children so they have hope and opportunities despite the crisis.