Food insecurity is significant and widespread in Haiti. In October 2007, 25 percent of rural households or 1.29 million people were food insecure (consuming less than 1,900 Kcal per person per day), including about 6 percent (305 thousand people) severely food insecure (less than 1,600 Kcal per person per day)2. Two-thirds of the rural households said they ate lower quantity than a year ago at the same period. About 95 percent of rural households had reduced the quantity of food during the month before the survey. The significant increase in food prices since October 2006 was the main shock experienced by households in recent months and their primary coping strategy is the reduction of the quantity of food they consume.
The following population groups are affected by food insecurity:
o About 34 percent of small farmers who live only from their agricultural activities,
o About 34 percent of wage earners engaged in agricultural activities are food insecure,
o About 32 percent whose main source of income is the sale of charcoal or transfers from other households are food insecure.
o Households combining agricultural activities and trade of non -agricultural or pastoral goods are less exposed to food insecurity, with 15% food insecure households. Recipients of overseas’ remittances and fisherfolk have the best food security.
o People living with HIV and their households experience hunger more often than the rest of the population, especially urban women and girls3.
The nutritional situation is worrying as well. Chronic malnutrition is widespread among the most vulnerable with stunting affecting 24 percent of children under five. Acute malnutrition affects 9 percent of children under five.
