Urgent Concern: Hunger Crisis Escalates in Haiti amidst Rising Gang Violence

Aid workers, doctors, and missionaries are increasingly concerned about the growing number of hungry people in Haiti. The country is facing political turmoil and a rise in violent gang activity, making it difficult for people to access food.

In the capital city of Port-au-Prince, one American missionary shared that his organization is providing food and water to those in need, even in areas controlled by gangs. He mentioned meeting individuals who had gone without food for a week.

In some parts of the city, there is no food available to purchase or take to the market for people who make a living from small-scale trading. According to a missionary who preferred to remain anonymous for safety reasons, essential items like flour, sugar, salt, rice, and more are disappearing one by one. With no supply chain in place, once these items run out, they are gone for good.

Evelio Contreras/CNN

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Carnage continues to plague the streets of Port-au-Prince while the world remains hesitant to intervene in Haiti as promised. Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation last month has left the country without a new government in place, causing further confusion. Additionally, a much-needed multinational security mission has been put on hold.

As a result of the ongoing turmoil, gangs have effectively isolated Port-au-Prince from the outside world. This isolation has made it extremely difficult for assistance to reach approximately 58,000 children who are experiencing severe malnutrition, as reported by UNICEF.

The impact of the crisis in the capital is being felt nationwide, as Haiti heavily relies on imports that come through Port-au-Prince. The United Nations reports that nearly 5 million people in Haiti are facing severe food insecurity - meaning they do not have enough food to survive and are in immediate danger.

Jean-Martin Bauer, the country director for the World Food Programme in Haiti, recently spoke to CNN about the situation, calling it the worst humanitarian crisis in the country since the devastating earthquake in 2010. It is a critical situation that needs urgent attention and support.

A server is serving soup into a container while children wait in line to get food at a shelter for families affected by gang violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

A server ladles soup into a container as children line up to receive food at a shelter for families displaced by gang violence, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Odelyn Joseph/AP

‘This malnutrition crisis is entirely human-made’

For the past two months, Port-au-Prince has been isolated from the rest of the world, facing a shortage of resources. Gangs have blocked the roads in and out of the city, while the international airport and port remain closed. Hospitals have been damaged, and food and supplies stored in warehouses have been stolen as the city struggles.

In a recent incident, a crucial container terminal in Haiti was attacked and looted, affecting the food import supply chain. UNICEF reported that one of their containers, which carried essential items for newborns and mothers, was also broken into. This included resuscitators, critical supplies, and water equipment necessary for survival.

UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, emphasized in March that thousands of children are in urgent need of life-saving supplies, which can be delivered once violence ceases and roads and hospitals are accessible. She described the malnutrition crisis as being entirely man-made.

Dr. Ralph Ternier, the chief medical officer of medical organization Zanmi Lasante, shared that he has encountered some of the most severe cases of child hunger in his career while working at the organization's medical facility in Mirebalais, located about an hour's drive northeast of the capital.

He knows the problem is far worse in Port-au-Prince, but laments that there is no way to reach those children. Ternier compared the capital to another country, explaining that it is nearly impossible for someone like him to enter the area, and that rampant gang attacks and kidnapping means many Port-au-Prince parents cannot find medical care for their kids.

Ternier says, "If you have a child that is malnourished, and you are in Port-au-Prince, you cannot do much. It’s rare to find a decent hospital to go to because a lot of them have been destroyed."

Pedestrians walk on an empty street near the earthquake-destroyed Cathedral in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, March 25, 2024.

Pedestrians walk on an empty street near the earthquake-destroyed Cathedral in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, March 25, 2024.

Odelyn Joseph/AP

‘We’re completely cut off from all supplies’

In Haiti’s rural Lower Artibonite Valley, north of the capital, Hopital Albert Schweitzer is witnessing a rise in acute malnutrition cases, particularly among children.

A close second to the nation’s capital in terms of gang violence, the Artibonite department is also experiencing challenges with access to essential supplies, according to the hospital’s CEO, Jean Marc deMatteis, who informed CNN that they are completely cut off from all supplies, including food and medical supplies.

The hospital is experiencing an increase in malnutrition cases during certain seasons, but community healthcare workers are now noticing a higher number of malnutrition cases, especially among children, during regular clinic visits.

Adding to concerns about hunger in the country, farmers in Artibonite, known as the breadbasket of Haiti for its fertile lands and rice fields, are facing challenges in growing and selling their crops due to the insecurity. According to a March 15 analysis by the World Food Programme (WFP), food production is decreasing as farmers are afraid to work in the fields because bandits are stealing their crops.

The Artibonite department has experienced around 100 armed attacks in the last two years, making it the second-highest in violence incidents after Port-au-Prince.

According to Laure Boudinaud, Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping Officer for WFP in Haiti, "Conflict and hunger go hand in hand. In a country like Haiti that relies heavily on agriculture, when production areas are left vacant, the population is affected in some form."

“The correlation between abandoned farm fields and the presence of armed groups and violence is clearly evident,” she added.

Haitian citizens try to get goods at Liceo Marie Jeanne shelter in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 21 March 2024.

Haitian citizens try to get goods at Liceo Marie Jeanne shelter in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 21 March 2024.

Mentor David Lorens/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Food stocks are running low due to lack of donor funding, putting pressure on humanitarian efforts in Haiti. Despite the challenging conditions, Bauer, the head of WFP, mentioned that his agency was able to provide food assistance to approximately half a million people in the country last month.

"We have been successful in reaching the individuals most in need with our programs. While we would like to do more, we have been prioritizing effectively," he mentioned.

Unfortunately, the WFP is facing challenges with the supply chain, and it may not be able to sustain its feeding programs in Port-au-Prince for much longer. Bauer noted that the agency only has a limited supply of food left in the city, with only a few weeks' worth remaining.

Right now, we are using up our current food supplies. These supplies are being given out to neighborhoods in need and to those who have been displaced from their homes. This will only last for a few weeks, and we will run out completely if we cannot reopen the port and bring in more food imports.

Shortages in donor funding are causing challenges in assisting Haiti's most vulnerable populations. The United Nations' 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan has only secured 6.5% of the necessary funds. Bauer also mentioned that the current funding for the WFP in Haiti falls far short of what is needed.

Bauer stated, "In the next six months, we need $100 million to sustain our program. This funding gap is hindering our ability to reach more aid recipients. The lack of funds is a major factor in why our outreach numbers are not higher."

Bauer pointed out that although people are currently focused on other issues, it is understandable. However, he emphasized the importance of addressing the fact that half of Haiti's population is unsure of where their next meal will come from in order to achieve peace.

Editor's P/S:

The escalating humanitarian crisis in Haiti, as detailed in this article, is a heart-wrenching reminder of the devastating consequences of political turmoil and violence. The number of hungry people continues to rise as gang activity makes it increasingly difficult for individuals to access food, water, and basic necessities. The situation is particularly dire in Port-au-Prince, where essential items are rapidly disappearing, leaving families desperate and malnutrition rates soaring.

Moreover, the isolation of Port-au-Prince from the outside world has severely impacted the import of food supplies, leaving aid workers struggling to provide adequate assistance. With hospitals damaged, warehouses looted, and roads blocked, reaching those in need becomes an impossible task. The lack of donor funding further exacerbates the crisis, preventing aid organizations from scaling up their operations and addressing the urgent needs of the Haitian people. It is imperative that the international community recognizes the severity of this crisis and provides the necessary support to stabilize the situation and prevent further suffering.