Shafaqna India: A recent report reveals that nearly 6,000 people in Haiti are facing starvation, with almost half of the nation’s population of over 11 million experiencing crisis levels of hunger or worse. Gang violence has severely disrupted life in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and other areas, exacerbating the humanitarian situation.
The number of Haitians facing crisis, emergency, and famine levels of hunger has surged by 1.2 million over the past year, reaching a total of 5.4 million. The ongoing violence hampers the transportation of goods and prevents residents from safely accessing food, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.
“This represents one of the highest proportions of acutely food-insecure people in any crisis globally,” stated UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
The report, released on Monday, highlights that 5,636 individuals are experiencing the direst level of starvation, residing in makeshift shelters throughout the metropolitan area. Additionally, around 2 million people are facing severe hunger, a situation described as “shocking” by Martine Villeneuve, director of the nonprofit Action Against Hunger. She noted that the scale of hunger was unexpected and that some affected individuals live in areas not directly impacted by gang violence.
While gang activity is a primary driver of hunger, double-digit inflation is further straining households. Food now accounts for 70% of total household expenditures, with the cost of a basic food basket rising over 11% in the past year and inflation hitting 30% in July.
Gang violence remains the dominant factor in this crisis, as gangs control 80% of Port-au-Prince and critical supply routes, blocking farmers from delivering goods and hindering aid distribution.
The report also details the escalating violence in recent months, with at least 1,379 people killed or injured and 428 kidnapped between April and June. Gang activity has displaced more than 700,000 individuals in recent years.
A UN-backed mission led by Kenya, which began in late June, has made some progress in reclaiming control of certain communities. However, officials emphasize that substantial work is needed, with calls for a UN peacekeeping mission to secure necessary funding and personnel.
“Haiti continues to face a worsening humanitarian crisis, with alarming rates of armed gang violence disrupting daily life and increasing levels of acute food insecurity,” the report stated.
Dujarric also highlighted that humanitarian organizations in Haiti require an additional $230 million by the end of the year to address these urgent needs. The report found that 70% of people living in makeshift shelters are experiencing crisis levels of hunger or worse.