News In Brief:
– Haiti faces a deepening humanitarian crisis with nearly half its population at risk of acute food insecurity.
– Factors including violence, economic shocks, and adverse weather conditions compound the situation.
Haiti is confronting a deepening humanitarian emergency, with nearly half of its population poised to suffer from acute food shortages, as per the latest analysis by the Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC). The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) underscores the urgent need for action to tackle the underlying causes of this crisis.
Around 4.97 million Haitians are currently experiencing or will soon face high levels of acute food insecurity between March and June 2024.
Notably, 1.64 million individuals find themselves in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency), primarily concentrated in eight areas, including the Artibonite valley and rural regions of La Grand’Anse. This represents a significant deterioration compared to previous estimates, with an additional 532,000 people now grappling with acute food shortages.
Escalating violence and economic shocks
The crisis is fueled by a complex interplay of factors, including escalating violence by armed groups, economic instability, low agricultural productivity, adverse weather conditions, and lingering effects of natural disasters. Rampant violence has led to the internal displacement of approximately 362,000 individuals, disrupting market access and driving up prices of essential food items. Additionally, agricultural challenges exacerbated by El Niño have significantly reduced crop yields, with maize, rice, and sorghum production dropping by 39%, 34%, and 22%, respectively, compared to the five-year average.
Agriculture remains a critical lifeline for Haiti, with over 75% of the most vulnerable population residing in rural areas. Urgent intervention is required to bolster agricultural and livestock production, ensuring food availability and access for vulnerable farming communities.
The FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Guyana, addressed Haiti’s plight, emphasizing solidarity and the need for immediate action. FAO is actively engaged in delivering agricultural assistance, including cash transfers, vegetable seeds, and tools, to support vulnerable populations and restore agricultural livelihoods.
