Haiti Food Insecurity on a Rise

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer 

#Haiti, March 26, 2024 – Half of Haiti’s population or nearly 5 million people are classified as food insecure for the period March to June 2024, a projected 50 percent increase, up from 45 percent from August 2023 to February 2024.

This is according to the Haitian Government in  a March 23rd report, as informed by an update from an IPC1 analysis.

Under phase 4 of the IPC analysis, 8 zones out of 32, the report says, are “prey” to extreme food deficits and 5 of those areas are those affected by increased food insecurity.

These areas are the very poor sections of Port-au-Prince and City Soleil, “as well as the transverse part of the West department going from Croix des Bouquets to Petit Gonave.” The rural part of Grand’ Anse is also included.

The factors contributing to the continued decrease in food insecurity, the report says, include the increase of the food basket by 22 percent as Of February 2024 and the worsening Violence which disrupts food supply chains.

Also, another contributing factor is the increase in job losses which results in income loss due to gang violence bringing about social collapse.

Amid all this, the report highlights the need for urgent action to reduce food insecurity and so the National Food Security Coordination (CNSA) is alerting food security stakeholders.