World Food Program Faces Funding Shortfall, Impacting Haiti’s Hungry
UN Agency Warns of Devastating Consequences
The U.N.’s World Food Program announced Monday that it is facing a shortage of funds and won’t be able to help 100,000 people in Haiti this month who urgently need assistance.
Record 4.9 Million People in Need of Food Assistance
The 25% cut comes as a record 4.9 million people in the country of nearly 11 million need help with finding food, the agency said.
Multilayered Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti
“These cuts could not come at a worse time, as Haitians face a multi-layered humanitarian crisis, their lives and livelihoods upended by violence, insecurity, economic turmoil and climate shocks,” said Jean-Martin Bauer, the agency’s director for Haiti.
Funding Shortfall Threatens Food Assistance
The agency warned that its Haiti response plan is only 16% funded, and that it won’t be able to provide food to a total of 750,000 Haitians if it doesn’t secure $121 million through the end of the year.
“Unless we receive immediate funding, further devastating cuts cannot be ruled out,” Bauer said.
Progress in Providing Food Assistance
So far this year, the World Food Program has provided more than 450,000 school children with hot meals, often the only food they receive in a day.
Food Insecurity Crisis in Haiti
Per capita, the number of Haitians facing emergency-level food insecurity is the second highest in the world, with nearly 5 million struggling to eat every day, according to the agency. More than 115,000 children younger than 5 also are expected to struggle with malnutrition this year, a 30% surge compared with last year.
Gang Violence Worsens Crisis
Gang violence has worsened the situation, paralyzing the transportation of goods and preventing people from leaving their homes.
Conclusion
The World Food Program is urging immediate funding to continue providing vital food assistance to those in need in Haiti. Without sufficient funding, the agency fears devastating cuts that will only exacerbate the already dire situation.
FAQs
Q: Why is the World Food Program facing a funding shortfall in Haiti?
A: The agency is facing a 25% cut in funding, which comes as a record 4.9 million people in Haiti need help with finding food.
Q: How many people will be affected by the funding shortfall?
A: The agency won’t be able to help 100,000 people in Haiti this month who urgently need assistance.
Q: What is the World Food Program’s Haiti response plan?
A: The plan is only 16% funded, and the agency needs to secure $121 million by the end of the year to continue providing food assistance.