Unprecedented Hunger Crisis Hits Haiti
Haiti is facing an unprecedented hunger crisis, with an estimated 5.4 million people—nearly half the population—now facing acute food shortages, according to data released by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).
Extreme Hunger Levels
The report also reveals that at least 6,000 Haitians are suffering from famine-like conditions, with no access to food despite exhausting all available coping strategies. Famine or catastrophe-level hunger is defined as a situation where people are on the brink of starvation, destitution, and death due to extreme food scarcity. The number of Haitians experiencing such severe hunger has risen sharply from just under 5 million in March, and projections indicate it will surpass 5.5 million by June 2024.
Food Insecurity
Escalating violence, particularly in and around the capital of Port-au-Prince, has disrupted the supply of basic foodstuffs, limiting access to food both physically and financially. According to the IPC report, compounding the crisis is Haiti’s soaring inflation, which has stretched household budgets thin, with food expenses consuming up to 70% of income.
A Decade of Worsening Insecurity
Haiti’s food insecurity has worsened dramatically over the past decade. While severe hunger affected only 2% of the population in 2014, today, nearly half of Haitians are grappling with severe food insecurity. U.S. aid group Mercy Corps highlighted the staggering increase in hunger levels, pointing to the nation’s deteriorating conditions.
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