In its latest report, the World Food Program (WFP) reveals that 65% of households in the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince do not have sufficient food consumption to "satisfy their macro and micro-nutrient needs".

The results show that two out of three households in the metropolitan area of ​​Port Au Prince experienced insufficient food consumption as of May 20, 2024. The analysis of consumption by municipality identifies 3 municipalities with high levels: Cité Soleil (88%); Carrefour (73%) and Croix-des-Bouquets (65%).

According to the WFP, the low level of food consumption is mainly due to a shortage of important foodstuffs, notably meat and fish, but also dairy products and other basic necessities.

In addition, the study notes that since the start of 2024, the cost of a food basket has increased by 27%, making food inaccessible for millions of Haitians. According to the WFP, this increase is mainly due to the increase in prices of oil, rice, black and red beans.

"The current import difficulties remain the main cause of this situation. The use of the black market to buy fuel at high prices (40 to 50% more than the price at the pump) is increasingly common." In the metropolitan area of ​​Port-au-Prince, a gallon of fuel costs on average 1,500 gourdes compared to 1,000 gourdes in April...

As insecurity drives up already high fuel and food prices, job and income losses have affected two-thirds of the country's families since the last wave of violence in March. Today, "more than 40% of households in the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince have suffered a shock linked to insecurity, and 9% have faced shocks linked to job loss and commercial difficulties."

A significant and continuing decline in income in the metropolitan area of ​​Port-au-Prince. As of May 20, 2020, 61% of households reported that their main source of income has decreased, including 46% with a drop of more than 50%.

At least 4 in 5 households (80%) have adopted negative coping strategies due to lack of food :

(i) Reduction in the number of meals (83%);

(ii) Reduction in the quantity consumed (82%);

(iii) Consumption of less popular (and less expensive) foods (75%).

HL/ HaitiLibre