Amidst growing political instability and gang-violence, half of Haiti’s population is now facing severe hunger, with one in two Haitians grappling with acute food insecurity, according to the United Nations. More than five million people—over a third of the country’s population—are currently experiencing critical levels of undernourishment, leading to widespread wasting and starvation.
The crisis highlights the ongoing humanitarian challenges in Haiti, where access to food has become increasingly precarious. According to the latest analysis from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), Haiti continues to endure severe security crises, with 5.4 million individuals struggling daily to secure food for themselves and their families. This figure represents one of the highest proportions of people experiencing acute food insecurity globally.
Among those affected, two million people are facing emergency levels of hunger, which includes extreme food shortages, acute malnutrition, and elevated rates of disease.
Over 6,000 internally displaced persons residing in temporary shelters in the capital Port-au-Prince, after fleeing their homes are now encountering catastrophic levels of food insecurity. This dire situation indicates that these individuals are grappling with hunger, mortality, destitution, and critically severe acute malnutrition.
Haiti has been grappling with gang violence and political instability for years, with a notable surge in violence following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse three years ago.
Recent statistics from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) indicate that at least 3,661 people have been killed since the beginning of this year, marking the highest levels of violence recorded since 2023.
In the past six months, the number of internally displaced persons has nearly doubled, surpassing 700,000 – almost 6 percent of the population.
The UN Human rights Office has documented targeted killings and random shootings, including of children, by members of increasingly powerful criminal gangs; mass kidnappings; the forced recruitment, exploitation and trafficking of children; as well as the burning and looting of residences and businesses.
“Gender-based violence, including sexual violence, has reached new peaks of brutality and scale, with my Office documenting collective rapes among other horrors,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said.
Despite an international embargo, arms and ammunition continue to be smuggled into the country, enabling gangs to carry out large-scale attacks and extend their control and influence over new territories. Turk noted that weapons and ammunition are not manufactured in Haiti but flow in from businesses elsewhere. “This is leading to thousands of killings, massive displacement, the complete destruction of the economy, and horrific suffering.”