Caribbean News
Over 5.7 Million Haitians Face Hunger as UN Hot Meals Program Reaches Just a Fraction of Those in Need
Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
Haiti, July 18, 2025 – More than 5.7 million people in Haiti are now food insecure, the United Nations confirmed on July 16, sounding the alarm on a deepening hunger crisis compounded by escalating violence and displacement. The figure represents more than half of the population.
Once-thriving agricultural areas such as Kenscoff and the Artibonite department—known as the country’s breadbaskets—have seen food production disrupted by insecurity and gang activity. As a result, vast numbers of families are unable to meet their most basic nutritional needs.
As part of the emergency response, the UN says 242,000 displaced Haitians living in shelters have received hot meals between January and
Still, these efforts have only reached 38 per cent of the 3.4 million people targeted for food security assistance in 2025. Aid agencies cite severe access constraints, continued violence, and dire funding shortages as the main barriers to expanding support.
Haiti’s humanitarian appeal remains the least-funded globally. Of the $425 million required for food security alone, just 2 per cent has been received so far.
“We just need more money to do our work,” said the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, emphasizing that efforts to scale up assistance are underway, but cannot meet the demand without urgent donor intervention.
OCHA and its partners continue to coordinate across sectors to reach vulnerable populations, but the agency warns that time is running out to prevent further deterioration of the crisis.
As hot meals remain a lifeline for the displaced, the call from the UN is clear: without increased global support, millions more could fall deeper into hunger and desperation.
These newest details were shared in the July 17 press briefing hosted by the UN Secretary General.