Armed gang violence is intensifying Haiti’s humanitarian crisis, disrupting daily life and forcing many people to flee their communities. Acute hunger is also on the rise, leaving 2 in 3 children in urgent need of assistance.
World Vision is deeply concerned about the escalation of violence, which threatens the safety and well-being of millions, particularly children.
Haiti in crisis: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
- Fast facts: Haiti crisis
- What is the current situation in Haiti?
- Why is Haiti in crisis?
- What are the challenges and risks for Haitian children?
- How is World Vision helping vulnerable Haitian communities today?
- How many people in Haiti has World Vision supported?
- How can I make a difference and support Haitian children and families?
Fast facts: Haiti in crisis
- Widespread poverty: Haiti, the most impoverished nation in the Latin American and Caribbean region, faces severe economic challenges.
- Food insecurity: Nearly half of the Haitian population (5.4 million people) are affected by acute hunger, with 2 million facing emergency levels of hunger.
- Displacement: Conflicts and natural disasters have displaced nearly 600,000 people — over half of them children — within the country as of July 2024.
- Healthcare crisis: The health system is on the brink of collapse, with major hospitals closed and shortages of medicine and staff.
- Gender-based violence: Women and girls are increasingly victims of gang-related violence.
- Cholera outbreak: Since October 2022, nearly 80,000 suspected cases have been reported, as of January 2024.
- Natural disasters: The August 2021 earthquake compounded existing challenges.
What is the current situation in Haiti?
Haiti is experiencing a long-standing crisis that has been intensified by gang violence that escalated on February 29, 2024. Over 15,000 people were displaced in just one week — many of them seeking refuge with relatives and friends as gangs increasingly targeted residential areas.
Approximately 80% of Port-au-Prince is under gang control, including the closed international airport. Looting at the main port has depleted essential supplies, worsening the food insecurity crisis.
Thousands are attempting to cross into the neighboring Dominican Republic through unofficial routes, and vulnerable people urgently need shelter, food, water, and medical care. Immediate intervention is vital to protect impacted Haitians and alleviate their suffering.
Why is Haiti in crisis?
Haiti has faced a multidimensional crisis for decades, caused by political unrest and economic instability. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted Haiti, exacerbating economic challenges and straining an already fragile healthcare system. Natural disasters, including the 2010 earthquake, Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and the August 2021 earthquake, further compounded the hardships Haitians face. Haiti has also experienced multiple cholera outbreaks, with the most recent one in 2022 continuing to spread across the country.
What are the challenges and risks for Haitian children?
A humanitarian crisis delivers the heaviest blow to the most vulnerable — especially children. In Haiti, children are facing challenging conditions:
- Exposure to violence: Witnessing or experiencing violence firsthand can have long-lasting physical, social, and psychological effects.
- Forced recruitment into gangs: Children are exposed to further violence and exploitation by being forced into gangs.
- Malnutrition and food insecurity: Crisis-induced food shortages and rising prices are putting children at greater risk of severe malnutrition and its lasting impacts.
- Lack of protection: Displacement and migration caused by the current volatile situation can separate children from their families and caregivers, making them more vulnerable to abuse.
- Limited access to healthcare: Closed hospitals and disrupted health services leave many children without access to essential care and vaccinations.
- Education disruptions: School closures due to security concerns put children at risk of setbacks or even complete loss of education.
Nothing to eat
“The children complain of hunger, and there is nothing to eat,” said Rosemita, a 28-year-old mother of five, who fled with her children (shown right) to the Dominican Republic, hoping they would have enough food and be kept safe. But desperate conditions followed their migration to the border, where her 10-year-old son expressed feeling weak and that he has difficulty concentrating due to a lack of nutrition. “It’s very hard when my head hurts from hunger; it happens all the time,” the boy said.
“The situation is very tough, very difficult,” added Rosemita. “I have a brother who sometimes helps me, but he also needs assistance. I have to borrow money to eat, but then I have no job to repay it.” With nowhere to go due to the escalating violence in Haiti, they have found some relief through World Vision, which supports the family with essential aid and resources.
How is World Vision supporting vulnerable Haitian communities today?
World Vision works to support and safeguard vulnerable children and families during these dangerous and unpredictable conditions. Our longstanding operations in the country persist, and we remain committed to serving those in need in Haiti, as we have been doing for over 45 years.
We’re helping communities in the current crisis by delivering vital humanitarian aid, including food, clean water access, and psychosocial support. Our cash assistance and psychosocial programs are also reaching survivors of gender-based violence. However, the scale of the crisis demands expanded operations.
World Vision is advocating for enhanced cross-border operations to safeguard children, women, and families fleeing violence to ensure they receive dignified treatment and protection.
How many people in Haiti has World Vision supported?
As part of World Vision’s response to the current crisis, as of December 2024:
- 47,942 people have gained access to clean water through 18 new water access points.
- 59,032 pregnant and breastfeeding women have been supported by our supplementary feeding programs.
- 18,909 have been helped through our food assistance programs.
- 191 children under 5 were treated for severe malnutrition, and over 81% made a full recovery.
How can I make a difference and support Haitian children and families?
You can make an impact amid the crisis in Haiti and other disasters worldwide.
- Pray: Join us in praying for all those affected by the crisis in Haiti.
Merciful God, we ask You to orchestrate an end to the crisis afflicting the people of Haiti. Father, we pray for the protection of children, women, and men facing unimaginable levels of violence. Please give all those who are hungry enough food to keep them nourished. We ask in Your name that the people of Haiti will find peace, hope, healing, and restoration for their lives and nation.
- Give: Your gift will help deliver crucial aid to vulnerable children and families affected by emergencies like the crisis in Haiti.
- Sponsor a child: Help equip a child, their family, and community for a brighter future. Sponsorship helps meet urgent needs today — and supports lasting empowerment through physical and spiritual resources.
