Persistent violence and displacement lead to record hunger in Haiti as needs skyrocket

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Despite the United Nations World Food Programme’s (WFP) expanded emergency response, an escalation in violence, displacement, economic turmoil and disruptions to local food production are fueling hunger, leaving millions at risk.

The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report shows a record 5.7 million people – more than half of all Haitians – are projected to experience acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3+) through June 2025. Of those, just over two million are projected to face Emergency level hunger (IPC phase 4), while about 8,400 people are expected to face Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5), the most critical level of food insecurity where people experience an extreme lack of food, severe acute malnutrition and risk of starvation. 

Growing armed violence has driven massive displacement and increased hunger as armed groups seek to expand their control, forcing over one million people from their homes. In Port-au-Prince, displaced families are sheltering in schools and public buildings, enduring overcrowded and unsanitary conditions with limited access to clean water, food and healthcare.

WFP and its partners have significantly scaled up operations in Haiti, reaching more than 1.3 million people to date in 2025. This includes one million people in March, a record number of people assisted in one month, but more is urgently needed.

“Right now, we’re fighting to just hold the line on hunger,” said Wanja Kaaria, WFP Country Director in Haiti. “Without the immense efforts already underway, the situation would be far worse. To keep pace with the growing crisis, we call on the international community to provide urgent support - and above all, the country needs peace.”

WFP is providing first-line emergency assistance as well as long-term support to those internally displaced. So far in 2025, WFP has supplied 740,000 hot meals to more than 112,000 recently displaced people, as well as cash for food and support to prevent malnutrition among children. 

WFP has also secured unprecedented access to areas controlled by armed groups, delivering lifesaving food to hard-to-reach communities in Croix-des-Bouquets, Cité Soleil, Lower Delmas and La Saline.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), managed by WFP, continues to serve as a vital lifeline for the humanitarian response — ensuring aid workers and supplies reach communities in need.

WFP urgently needs US$53.7 million to continue its life-saving operations in Haiti over the next six months.

Note to the editor:
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IPC Report here 
More information about the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification scales