Haiti humanitarian crisis: Millions at risk of starvation

This is according to a new report issued by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) – a UN and government backed initiative that monitors the severity and magnitude of hunger crises. 

Of the 5.7 million Haitians experiencing extreme hunger, over 8,400 are experiencing famine conditions (IPC Phase 5, the IPC’s most severe classification of food insecurity), placing them at imminent risk of death from starvation.

Meanwhile, over 2.1 million (18% of Haiti’s population) are experiencing a food security emergency (IPC Phase 4) – just one step away from living in famine conditions.

This means that children in Haiti are already dying from hunger and hunger-related illness.

Dr Unni Krishnan, Global Humanitarian Director at children’s charity Plan International said:

“Today’s alarming report is a wakeup call for the international community to act now, with urgency and compassion. No mother should ever have to make the heartbreaking choice of which child to feed—but in Haiti, this is the cruel reality for too many.

“During food crises it is always children, especially girls, who suffer the most. When extreme hunger hits, girls eat last and least, and they are at heightened risk of being forced into early marriage. They are taken out of schools first and often the last to go back as families struggle to feed their children.

“It is essential that governments, including the UK, act now to increase funding to scale up life-saving humanitarian assistance for children in Haiti. An immediate end to violence must be secured to protect civilians and ensure life-saving aid can reach the most vulnerable.

“Haiti is experiencing one of the world’s most severe food crises, yet this humanitarian catastrophe is both tragically underreported and dangerously underfunded. Every day of inaction pushes more children to the brink, their lives threatened by extreme hunger. The time to act is now: the lives of hundreds of thousands across Haiti are at stake.”