New IPC data confirms record levels of hunger in Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE – Amid a deepening security crisis, hunger has reached unprecedented levels in Haiti, a new assessment reveals. Nearly five million people - almost half of the country’s population – are now facing acute food insecurity and struggling to feed themselves, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis released today.
“Haitians are on the edge - every other person is now hungry. Rising hunger is fuelling the security crisis that is shattering the country. We need urgent action now - waiting to respond at scale is not an option,” said Jean-Martin Bauer, WFP’s Country Director in Haiti.
As violence, soaring inflation and poor harvests collide, Haiti finds itself with the worst levels of food insecurity on record.
Recent attacks and violence by armed groups have driven Haiti into a dramatic security crisis with civilians under fire far beyond just the capital Port-au-Prince, where armed groups control much of the city. More than 360,000 people have been displaced across the country since the start of 2024, affected by violence, and now struggle to access to enough food.
Job and income losses affected two thirds of families across the country during the latest wave of violence in March, while insecurity is driving up already high fuel and food prices. Between August 2023 and February 2024, the cost of a food basket rose by 22 percent, making food unaffordable for millions of Haitians. They are now forced to resort to desperate strategies to cope, such as buying on credit and falling into debt, and selling off animals, seeds and other goods just to get by.
According to the report, 4.97 million people face crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity (IPC phases 3+), including 1.64 million people facing “emergency” (IPC phase 4) levels. Amongst the areas most severely affected is the Artibonite valley - the country’s breadbasket - where armed groups have taken over farmland and stolen harvested crops. Also of concern are the West department, rural parts of Grand’Anse in the South, and several poor neighourhoods of the capital, including Croix des Bouquets, and Cité Soleil – which saw pockets of Catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5) in late 2022.
While WFP operations continue in Haiti, violence and unrest have constrained the delivery of food and other humanitarian assistance. Through local partner organizations, WFP assists people who have been recently displaced by violence in Port-au-Prince. During the first two weeks of March, more than 100,000 hot meals were provided to over 23,000 people at 16 different sites. These hot meals represent an essential support to families forced to flee their homes.
WFP continues to provide school meals for children in the provinces, thanks to its decentralized supply chain and local food purchases from Haitian family farmers. In March so far, 250,000 children were fed in schools in Cap Haïtien, Gonaïves, Jeremie and Miragoane.
“WFP delivers essential support to Haitians despite the very real difficulties on the ground. We work with local NGOs and farming organizations prioritizing local purchases. This means we are able to shorten our supply chain and are less vulnerable to conflict and roadblocks, while simultaneously boosting the local economy,” added Bauer.
Humanitarian operations in Haiti are woefully underfunded, and WFP requires US$ 95 million over the next six months. Now more than ever, donor support is needed to allow WFP to keep its programmes up and running and continue serving the most vulnerable Haitians caught in this crisis.
Note to Editors
IPC Report available here.
IPC Snapshot available here.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
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