Poverty

Rural regions exhibit poverty rates that surpass those of the metropolitan area by a significant margin.
Moreover, according to the data, the discrepancies in income between Port-au-Prince and rural areas
cannot be ascribed to differences in family characteristics. Additionally, it is crucial to note that lack of
land ownership does not contribute to rural poverty. According to Sletten & Egset (2004), Haiti is
currently commonly categorized as the most destitute nation in the western hemisphere, and has had a
persistent lack of growth or even a decrease in GDP per capita since at least the 150th anniversary of its
independence in 1954.

Food Scarcity

Haiti is recognized as one of the most food-deprived regions on a global scale, where chronic food
insecurity is extremely prevalent; more than 22 percent of children are afflicted with chronic
malnutrition. As mentioned by Humayun & Hu (2024), Haiti is experiencing a rising number of
individuals who are falling victim to hunger, as cautioned by missionaries, doctors, and aid workers with
increasing urgency. Currently, Haiti is experiencing a political deadlock and a widespread outbreak of
deadly gang violence. An estimated 4.3 million people are in urgent need of assistance.

A severe increase in food prices occurred in April 2008 in Haiti, precipitating extensive food-related
unrest across the nation. Particularly in regards to imported rice, a considerable segment of the Haitian
populace is food dependent on the marketplace. Inadequate household purchasing has contributed to
an increase in starvation, especially among the rural impoverished population, as a consequence of
increased reliance on the food market and price increases. The food crisis in Haiti is not due to a scarcity
of supplies, but rather to the country's catastrophic cost of living (Mazzeo, 2009).

Healthcare Issues

As specified by Guly (2004), approximately 60% of Haiti's population, which amounts to 8 million
persons, has access to healthcare services. The majority of individuals depend on public healthcare
facilities, where they are required to pay a nominal charge determined by their income and family size.
Services are presently unavailable in a manner that is pervasive throughout the nation's health
institutions, and health worker productivity is at an all-time low. Regarding the conversion of health
inputs into health services, Haiti demonstrates notably diminished technical efficiency scores when
compared to other low-income countries (Paul et al., 2020)

Sletten, P. & Egset, W. (2004). Poverty in Haiti. FAFO

https://www.haiti-now.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Poverty-In-Haiti-FAFO-2004.pdf

Mazzeo, J. (2009). LAVICHÈ: HAITI’S VULNERABILITY TO THE GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS. NAPA Bulletin, 32(1),
115–129. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4797.2009.01031.x
Hunger crisis in Haiti - Plan International Haiti. (2023, March 29). Plan International Haiti. https://plan-
international.org/haiti/hunger-crisis-in-haiti/

Haiti: Escalating violence and economic shocks compound hunger crisis - Haiti. (2024, March 25).
ReliefWeb. https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/haiti-escalating-violence-and-economic-shocks-compound-
hunger-crisis

Guly, C. (2004). Haiti emerging from chaos to face health care crisis. Retrieved from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC395802/#:~:text=Only%20about%2060%25%20of
%20Haiti's,on%20income%20and%20family%20size.