Rising Violence and Funding Cuts Worsen Haiti’s Hunger Crisis

A gang member operates in a neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince.

Rising gang violence in Haiti’s capital is restricting humanitarian access and pushing families deeper into hunger, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Thursday.

Haiti faces one of the world’s most severe food crises, worsened by steep funding cuts to WFP relief programmes.

“We urge international partners to step up so WFP and its partners can provide not only life-saving emergency assistance, but also invest in programmes addressing the root causes of hunger,” said Wanja Kaaria, the agency’s director in Haiti.

The WFP reported that armed groups now control nearly 90 per cent of Port-au-Prince, driving higher food prices and obstructing farmers’ access to markets.

A staggering 1.3 million people, more than half children, have been forced to flee their homes in search of food and shelter, the WFP said. Over 16,000 people have been killed and around 7,000 injured since January 2022, according to UN human rights chief Volker Türk.

Violence is spreading beyond the capital into nearby regions, fueling arms, drugs, and human trafficking, Mr. Türk said. “More children are being subjected to trafficking, exploitation, and forced recruitment by gangs. We can only imagine the long-term impact for the children of Haiti and society as a whole.”

The WFP requires $139 million for the next 12 months to reach Haiti’s most vulnerable families. Funding shortfalls have forced the agency to suspend hot meals for newly displaced families and halve food rations.

For the first time, WFP has not prepositioned food stocks for climate-related disasters during the Atlantic hurricane season due to lack of resources.

“Today, more than half of all Haitians don’t have enough to eat,” Ms. Kaaria said. “With current funding, WFP and partners are struggling to prevent starvation among children, mothers, and entire families running out of options and hope.”

Despite challenges, WFP has reached over two million people since January 2022 and continues working with the Haitian government to provide school meals and other aid.

Mr. Türk expressed concern that Haitian government-backed security forces have used “unnecessary and disproportionate lethal force” against gangs. More than half of killings and injuries this year have been by State authorities, with 174 people executed for alleged gang affiliations.