More than half of Haiti’s population—an unprecedented 5.7 million people—are projected to experience acute food insecurity through June, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Thursday, as the country reels from escalating violence, mass displacement, and economic collapse.
Of those affected, over two million Haitians are expected to face emergency-level hunger (IPC Phase 4), and at least 8,400 are on the brink of famine (IPC Phase 5), the most severe classification indicating catastrophic levels of hunger, malnutrition, and risk of death.
The figures come from the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, which assesses the severity and extent of food crises on a scale of 1 to 5.
“Right now, we’re fighting to just hold the line on hunger,” said WFP’s Country Director in Haiti, Wanja Kaaria. “To keep pace with the growing crisis, we call on the international community to provide urgent support – and above all, the country needs peace.”
Armed gangs and mass displacement
Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, remains paralyzed by heavily armed gangs, with widespread violence forcing over one million people from their homes. Displaced families now shelter in overcrowded schools and public buildings, where access to clean water, food, and healthcare is severely limited.
The WFP has ramped up its operations, reaching more than 1.3 million people in Haiti so far this year, including a record one million in March alone. It has delivered emergency food, cash assistance, and nutrition support, and supplied 740,000 hot meals to over 112,000 displaced people.
Despite these efforts, the agency warns that needs are rapidly outpacing resources. WFP is appealing for $53.7 million to continue its life-saving response over the next six months.
WFP has also gained rare access to areas controlled by armed groups, delivering critical aid to communities previously cut off. It continues to operate the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), ensuring that relief workers and supplies can still reach hard-hit regions.
Children facing catastrophic hunger
The situation is especially dire for children. According to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), more than one million children are facing critical levels of food insecurity, with 2.85 million—one in four Haitian children—struggling with consistent hunger.
“We are looking at a scenario where parents can no longer provide care and nutrition to their children as a result of ongoing violence, extreme poverty, and a persistent economic crisis,” said Geeta Narayan, UNICEF’s Representative in Haiti.
Malnutrition among children is rising sharply. In the first months of 2025, UNICEF and partners have treated 4,600 children for severe acute malnutrition—but that is less than 4 percent of the 129,000 children expected to require treatment this year. Funding gaps are adding to the pressure, with UNICEF’s nutrition program currently facing a 70 percent shortfall.
Healthcare system near collapse
Compounding the crisis, Haiti’s fragile health system is on the verge of collapse. Fewer than half of the capital’s health facilities remain fully functional, and two of the country’s three major public hospitals are no longer operational. UNICEF warns that the lack of access to medical care and nutrition is putting children at even greater risk of disease and preventable death.
As Haiti faces a mounting hunger emergency with no end in sight, UN agencies are urging the international community to act swiftly—before more lives are lost.
