Growing crisis pushing higher number of people into hunger in Haiti

The World Food Program (WFP) is warning that a growing crisis is pushing a higher number of people into hunger in Haiti.

“Haiti can’t wait,” said Jean-Martin Bauer, WFP Country Director for the French-speaking Caribbean country

“We cannot wait for the scale of the problem to be expressed in deaths before the world responds, but that is where we are heading ”

According to the new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification analysis, half the population, estimated at 4 9 million, is now struggling to access food

The findings reveal a substantial increase in the number of severely hungry people in Haiti, with the number tripling since 2016

Eight out of ten Haitians are currently spending less on meals, and the country is among the top ten most affected by food price inflation, according to the World Bank

WFP said farmers have been forced to reduce areas sown due to the high cost of seeds and fertilizers at a time when the spread of armed groups has plagued rural areas with violence

“The multiple emergencies are having a significant impact on the health and nutrition of Haitian children who have limited access to nutritious food Mal-nourishment is compromising their immunity, making them vulnerable to diseases like cholera, and causing other lifelong health issues including poor cognitive development,” the WFP said, adding that nearly one million children are out of school in Haiti

U.S. citizens kidnapped in Haiti

U S. State Department working with local authorities

The State Department in the United States says that it has been notified of the kidnapping of two US citizens who were on a trip to visit family due to insecurity and other factors

Sustained humanitarian aid has managed to support the most vulnerable communities in Cité Soleil, an area of the capital city of Port-auPrince However, WFP said its operations are underfunded and compromised, and require US$125 million over the next six months

“It is critical that both life-saving food assistance keeps reaching the most vulnerable Haitians and resilience and safety-net initiatives continue being prioritized so we can address the root causes of hunger,” Bauer said

“We desperately need an increase in funding and political will to be mobilized The world cannot wait for a big disaster before it acts ”

Bauer said WFP’s focus remains on strengthening national social protection and food systems that are critical to Haiti’s recovery efforts and development

“While it is certain that life-saving assistance is an urgent need, building long-term resilience for the people of Haiti needs to be a top priority,” he said

It’s reported that Abigail Toussaint and Jean-Dickens Toussaint, both 33, from the state of Florida, were taken near the capital Port-au-Prince and have been held for days

The couple was reportedly kidnapped during a bus ride

“We are aware of reports of two U S citizens missing in Haiti,” said a spokesperson from the State Department

“When a U S citizen is missing, we work closely with local authorities as they carry out their search efforts, and we share information with families however we can ”

In the aftermath of the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, gangs have grown in strength , with large portions of the capital and other areas considered lawless territory