Multiple crises and gang violence exacerbate hunger in Haiti

In addition to bearing the brunt of the global food and fuel crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, in recent decades Haitians have suffered devastating earthquakes, tropical storms, landslides and floods, in addition to chronic lawlessness and impunity for their streets.

“The situation is out of control,” said Jean-Martin Bauer, director of the World Food Program (WFP) in Haiti. “Large parts of Port-au-Prince are controlled by gangs, the data we have shows that the situation in the last 90 days has worsened… given that we are starting from a very vulnerable place, with one million people in a situation of acute food insecurity in this city“.

In a conversation via Zoom from Port-au-Prince, Bauer explained that between 150 and 200 gangs operate in the Haitian capitaland that things “get worse day by day” for Haitians.

Danger zone

“Since Friday there have been fighting in the city center, in the port area, in Cité Soleil, and yesterday in La Saline; places that are around the port and also near where hundreds of thousands of people live. too poor”.

The WFP official cited the case of a heavily pregnant woman who had to take refuge on the floor of her house for a whole day for fear of being caught in the crossfire during a prolonged firefight. The next day, just when she was able to leave her house, someone set fire to her home. She later gave birth and now lives in a center for the displaced.

recruited to fight

According to two local youth-focused organizations, 13% of children surveyed in a troubled neighborhood in Port-au-Prince had been in contact with members of armed gangs who tried to recruit them.

“The context is gang violence, people can’t work, can’t sell their produce, and at the same time food prices are risingBauer said.

“Haiti is a country that depends on imports, so it is at the forefront of the current situation,” Bauer said, referring to the fact that the Caribbean island imports 70% of its food needs and, like elsewhere, suffers from the global food and fuel crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.

“Inflation here has been 26%,” said the WFP official. “Food inflation has been 52%, according to the government of Haiti and the analysis of the food basket”.

Solutions

To continue to ensure that vulnerable Haitians receive aid outside the capital, WFP has resorted to using sea routes, rather than trucks that are more likely to be targeted by gangs.

“The WFP established a maritime service to avoid the bands that are around Port-au-Prince, so what we do is send the trucks to the port and there they get on a ferry chartered by WFP. That ship goes south or north, to ensure that humanitarian aid continues to reach all Haitians, no matter where they are.”

According to the UN agency, 4.4 million Haitians need immediate food assistance, which represents almost half of the population. The WFP has requested $39 million to fund aid over the next six months.