Conflict in Haiti brings 17% of children dangerously close to starvation, a charity says

A study released Thursday by the charity Save the Children says that one in six children in Haiti are in urgent need of food and are only one step away from famine.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

Haiti is going through a very bad social and political disaster. There is a lot of violence from armed groups in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince.

The ongoing war has forced 700,000 people to leave their homes within their own country, and the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) says that five million people, or almost half of the population, are having trouble getting enough food because of the crisis.

DUE TO THE NUMBERS

Save the Children said that according to figures from the IPC, more than 760,000 children in Haiti are in urgent need of food and are severely malnourished. They are also at a higher risk of dying from hunger.

The group said that the number of children in danger has gone up by 21% since March. This is because gun violence in the country is getting worse.

The study also said that Haiti is dealing with rising prices for food and violence. This is because 70% of people’s spending goes toward food.

Important Quotes

“Haiti is currently grappling with record high hunger levels, with gang violence, spiraling lawlessness and climate disasters sparking severe food shortages,” the group said.

It also said, “armed violence and a lack of available services and supplies are preventing Save the Children and other aid agencies from reaching many children and adults in need.”