Climate Change

According to the U.N Food and Agriculture Organisation (FA), almost six million people in Haiti are facing severe hunger as a result of gang violence, displacement, high food and fuel prices, coupled with extreme weather that has negatively affected agriculture.  gang violence and displacement, combined with high food and fuel prices and an extreme El Niño weather phenomenon that is threatening food security.  Haiti is now dealing with a level of food insecurity amongst the highest in the world while the authorities are bogged down with trying to re-establish order and security in Port-au-Prince.  Without sufficient humanitarian assistance, food insecurity is expected to further deteriorate in the months ahead. The full article by AP jourrnalist Danica Coto follows. 

As the situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, 5.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.  According to UNICEF, this includes almost 3 million children, the highest on record.  Gang violence, food insecurity made worse by climate change, natural disasters, a lack of basic services, and disease outbreaks such as cholera together present major security, humanitarian, and development challenges for Haiti and the international community.  Meetings have been called by the United Nations, CARICOM, and partner countries to urge increased support, without which it could yet become much worse.  The full article by Miami Herald journalist Jacqueline Charles follows. 

Hard to believe that just a year and a half ago, there were food riots in Port au Prince and other Haitian cities.  Since then, Haiti has become become politically stable to the point where firms involved in agriculture, textiles, infrastructure development and tourism are considering investing in Haiti.  Livelihood opportunities are sorely needed given that half of Haitians live on less than two dollars a day.  Still, the majority of Haitians are small farmers.  Without opportunities to provide for themselves and their families, the influx of the rural poor to urban centers will only accelerate.  Increasing agricultural productivity/opportunities is key to improving food security in Haiti.