World LedgerHaiti faces record hunger amid gang violence and economic collapse, with millions at risk
Severe hunger affects over 5.7 million Haitians; UNICEF and WFP warn of critical funding shortfalls and urgent aid needs
Location: Haiti
Key Developments
- Number of Haitians facing severe hunger increased by over 300,000 to approximately 5.7 million since last year.
- More than half of Haiti's population expected to face severe hunger through June 2025 due to gang violence and economic collapse.
- UNICEF reports 2.85 million children face high food insecurity with a 70% funding shortfall for aid programs.
- Inflation in Haiti has exceeded 30%, worsening food crisis and prices amid gang violence disrupting supply routes.
- UN World Food Program urgently needs $53.7 million for life-saving operations over next six months.
- Gang violence has caused displacement and forced families into makeshift shelters with insufficient food and resources.
- Women and girls disproportionately affected, facing greater obstacles in food access and livelihoods.
Related Topics & Nations
Diplomatic Context
USAID terminated 90% of its foreign aid contracts to Haiti in late February 2025, reducing humanitarian food aid and worsening hunger.
International aid shortfalls and security challenges complicate efforts to stabilize Haiti and address the crisis.
Strategic Implications
Continued instability and food insecurity risk regional spillover and increased migration pressures.
Urgent need for coordinated international aid and security stabilization to prevent humanitarian catastrophe.
Humanitarian Impact
Widespread severe hunger threatens over half the population, including vulnerable children and displaced families.
Funding gaps jeopardize ongoing humanitarian programs, risking increased malnutrition and mortality.
Women and girls face heightened vulnerability due to social and economic inequalities.
Key Actors
USAID
Reduced aid contracts to Haiti in early 2025
Role: Foreign aid provider
Credibility: High
UNICEF
Reported child food insecurity and funding shortfall
Role: UN agency for children
Credibility: High
UN World Food Program
Requested urgent funding to continue operations
Role: UN agency for food aid
Credibility: High
Gang groups in Haiti
Contributing to displacement and food insecurity
Role: Non-state armed actors
Credibility: Moderate
Analysis & Perspectives
Haitian government and international aid agencies: Highlight the compounded impact of gang violence, economic collapse, and aid reductions on food security.
Bias Assessment: Focus on humanitarian needs and aid mobilization may understate political and security complexities.
Gang groups and some local actors: May attribute food crisis to external factors or government failures rather than their role in violence and displacement.
Bias Assessment: Potential bias to deflect responsibility for worsening humanitarian conditions.
Verification Status
Methodologies
- Cross-referencing reports from UNICEF, UN World Food Program, and Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.
Primary Sources
- AP News report dated 2025-04-17.