Haiti

Conflict & Hunger

A record number of Haitians are experiencing extreme hunger because of conflict, extreme weather events and soaring inflation. People need food now.
WFP/Marianela Gonzalez/2021

Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti

As violence and conflict escalate in Haiti, entire communities are cut off from access to food. Watch the special from ABC World News Tonight:

Make a difference in Haiti

Relentless Violence, Disasters and Inflation

Haiti has one of the highest levels of hunger in the world and faces chronic poverty. On a good day, electricity, running water and healthcare are scarce. Now, violent conflict is forcing many Haitians to flee or hide in their homes. Half the population of the impoverished Caribbean country needs immediate food assistance.

Causes of Hunger

Political Upheaval

Haiti’s ongoing political turmoil erupted in September 2019 as tens of thousands of Haitians took to the streets demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise. The protests quickly turned violent and the security situation has remained precarious since. Conflict between armed groups has limited people’s access to food and water.
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Natural Disasters

In the past two decades, Haiti has been rocked by severe storms, landslides, drought, earthquakes and hurricanes. The frequent natural disasters make it nearly impossible for families to grow enough food to feed themselves.
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Poverty

Haiti is the poorest country in the Latin America and Caribbean region and among the poorest countries in the world. In 2020, nearly 60% of the population was estimated to be living in poverty. The COVID-19 crisis put further strain on vulnerable families, who are bearing the brunt of price variations and currency fluctuations. Many families are unable to afford food and other necessities, like housing and healthcare.
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WFP/Antoine Vallas

See How We’re Supporting Haitians

The United Nations World Food Programme has been working in Haiti since 1969 and, with the government, works to provide sustainable solutions to hunger.
Haiti, Lièvre 15 September 2021 Lièvre is a rural hard to reach community where WFP is distributing food to 1,500 people. Mr. David Beasley WFP Executive Director visits the community together with WFP Regional Director Lola Castro to witness first-hand how the community has been affected and how WFP is responding to the food needs of the population. Photo: WFP/Marianela Gonzalez
Emergency Food
To mitigate the impact of future disasters, WFP pre-positions stocks of emergency food. This enables WFP to respond swiftly when disaster strikes and put hot meals into the hands of survivors.
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Rene Ilus, 34 years old, is the father of three young boys, Ronex (10), Reginald (8), and Odelson (2). Rene used to drive passengers around on his moto to feed himself. But in 2013, a trafic accident cost him his leg. Since then, Rene has struggled to feed himself and his boys. His wife, Jocelyne, could never find a stable job despite looking. So she buys and sells vegetables and spices when she can, which will bring 500 gourdes (US$ 6) on an average week and 700 to 800 gourdes (US$9-10) in a good week. But Rene says it costs 350 gourdes a day to feed the family with the most affordable foods. He wishes he could buy tastier food, such as more meat and vegetables on top of the usual rice and beans. Rene says that the family will often rely on their neighbours’ solidarity to feed themselves. Today, he is delighted to have received assistance from the World Food Programme and the Government because he knows he will be able to feed his wife and children. At the distribution site, Rene received a bag of rice, a bag of peas and a bottle of vegetable oil, which someone helped him carry home. Rene, Jocelyne and their three boys live in a small adobe house that belongs to Jocelyne’s mother. Rene says his dream is to be able to work and afford his own house. His biggest fear is to fall sick. But he isn’t scared of the coronavirus. “I trust that God protects me”, he says. WFP serves daily hot meals to 250,000 children in Haiti. This school in Saint Raphael, Nord is participating in the USDA McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program. Everyday the school serves a USDA-funded hot meal of bulgur wheat, lentils, oil and salt or rice, beans, oil and salt.
School Meals
Our school meals ensure children still have access to nutritious food despite the ongoing crisis. With the Ministry of Education and partners, WFP provides school meals to up to 530,000 schoolchildren daily.
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UNHRD airlifts aid to Haiti
Logistics
WFP is supporting the humanitarian community in Haiti by transporting food and cargo by sea, where roads are blocked, as well as staff and humanitarian supplies through the U.N. Humanitarian Air Services.
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Lastest News

  • Blog
  • June 3, 2025

Haiti Hunger Crisis: How WFP Delivers Food Despite Violence and Insecurity
WFP food distribution in Haiti WFP/Luc Junior Segur/2025
  • News Release
  • June 3, 2025

As Hurricane Season Begins, WFP Raises the Alarm on Haiti

WFP/Luc Junior Segur
  • News Release
  • April 17, 2025

Persistent Violence and Displacement Lead to Record Hunger in Haiti as Needs Skyrocket

Child screened for malnutrition in Haiti WFP/Tanya Birkbeck/2024
  • Blog
  • January 13, 2025

Haiti on the Brink: WFP Scales up as Violence Fuels Displacement and Hunger

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