REBUILDING IN HAITI
Earthquake after earthquake keep Haiti trapped in a cycle of devastation and recovery.
Haiti has one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the world and faces chronic poverty. On a good day, electricity, running water and health care are scarce. Then, when the country was still recovering from the devastating earthquake in 2010, the latest quake hit in August 2021. The tremors and subsequent landslides damaged roads and bridges, destroyed tens of thousands of homes and plunged more Haitians into hunger.
Today, more than half the population of the impoverished Caribbean country needs immediate food assistance.
4.3 million people are facing severe hunger
Haiti ranks 3rd on the 2020 Climate Risk Index
22% of children are facing chronic malnutrition
See How We're Supporting Haitians
The United Nations World Food Programme has been working in Haiti since 1969 and, with the government, works to provide sustainable solutions to hunger.
Emergency Food
To help mitigate the impact of future disasters, WFP pre-positions stocks of emergency food in the right locations before the start of the hurricane season. After disaster strikes, WFP can respond swiftly and put hot meals into the hands of survivors.
School Meals
Every day, WFP supports kids in Haiti by providing school meals in over 1,000 schools. Our school meals are Haiti’s largest food safety net. WFP is also working with the government to develop their own nationally-owned school feeding program.
Food for Assets
WFP’s Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) program addresses immediate food needs through cash assistance while building Haitians’ resilience to extreme weather through rehabilitation projects. Projects range from soil conservation to repairing irrigation canals.
CRISES ON TOP OF CRISES
Natural Disasters
In the past two decades, Haiti has been rocked by severe storms, landslides, drought, earthquakes and hurricanes. The frequent natural disasters make it nearly impossible for families to grow enough food to feed themselves.
Source: Read About Our Response to the 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake That Struck Haiti on August 14, 2021 Photo: WFP/Alexis Masciarelli/2021
Coronavirus
Coronavirus cases spiked dramatically in Haiti from May into June, 2020 and again in January of 2022. The pandemic worsens a regional situation where economic shocks, erratic climate, displacement and insecurity have already taken a heavy toll.
Source: See the Status of COVID-19 Cases in Haiti Photo: WFP/Antoine Vallas/2021
Political Upheaval
Haiti’s ongoing political turmoil erupted in September 2019 as tens of thousands of Haitians took to the streets demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise. The protests quickly turned violent and the security situation has remained precarious since. Gang violence, road blocks and political gridlock have led to a spike in hunger and made it difficult to deliver humanitarian aid.
Photo: WFP/Antoine Vallas/2020
Poverty
Haiti is the poorest country in the Latin America and Caribbean region and among the poorest countries in the world. In 2020, nearly 60% of the population was estimated to be living in poverty. The COVID-19 crisis is putting a further strain on vulnerable families, who are bearing the brunt of price variations and currency fluctuations. Many families are unable to afford food and other necessities, like housing and health care.
Photo: WFP/Antoine Vallas/2021
