What's happened
Over 5.7 million Haitians are experiencing severe food shortages, with violence and gang control disrupting aid and agriculture. The crisis is worsening, with projections of nearly six million facing hunger by mid-2026. The government is mobilising resources, but security issues hinder relief efforts.
What's behind the headline?
The crisis in Haiti is a complex interplay of violence, economic decline, and climate factors. Gangs' control over 90% of Port-au-Prince and parts of agricultural regions prevents food and aid from reaching vulnerable populations. The government’s efforts, including establishing a Food and Nutrition Security Office, are steps forward but face significant security hurdles. The recent UN deployment of a gang suppression force aims to restore order, yet violence persists, exemplified by gunfire at the National Palace. The displacement of over 1.3 million people and the closure of hundreds of schools exacerbate the humanitarian emergency. The ongoing deportations from neighboring countries further strain limited resources, worsening food insecurity. This situation will likely deteriorate unless long-term security and economic reforms are implemented. The crisis underscores the urgent need for sustained international support and internal stability to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe.
What the papers say
The articles from Al Jazeera, AP News, and The Independent all highlight the severity of Haiti's food crisis, emphasizing gang violence, displacement, and economic decline. While all agree on the scale of the crisis, AP News and The Independent focus more on the economic and displacement aspects, citing the impact of gang control and deportations. Al Jazeera provides a detailed account of the security situation and government response, including the recent UN gang suppression force. The contrasting perspectives underscore the multifaceted nature of the crisis, with some sources emphasizing the security challenges and others highlighting economic and humanitarian impacts. The coverage collectively paints a comprehensive picture of a country in deep crisis, with no quick fix in sight.
How we got here
Haiti's ongoing economic recession, political instability, and gang violence have severely impacted food security. The country has faced six years of recession, with rising food prices and displacement. Gangs control most of Port-au-Prince and key agricultural regions, blocking aid and disrupting farming. Recent deportations from the US and Dominican Republic have added pressure on resources, deepening the crisis.
Go deeper
More on these topics
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Haiti, officially the Republic of Haiti formerly founded as Hayti, is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea, to the east of Cuba and Jamaica and south of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos
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Port-au-Prince is the capital and most populous city of Haiti. The city's population was estimated at 987,310 in 2015 with the metropolitan area estimated at a population of 2,618,894.