Garry Mathieu, national coordinator of the National Coordination of Food Security (CNSA) reported that nearly 50% of the population of Haiti, or nearly 4.5 million people are in a situation of food insecurity. This figure follows an investigation to assess the food security in the country, led by the CNSA with the support of World Food Programme (WFP), the Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and other partners.

The national coordinator of the CNSA states, however, that these statistics could be revised downward, particularly because the survey was conducted during April and May, a period where generally there is a lack of food availability in the country. However, he said that the 10 geographic departments are affected by food insecurity, but that this problem mainly affects persons belonging to the poorest sections of these departments.

Garry Mathieu also noted that the population has no access to a balanced diet and that the the majority of citizens living with incomes below of the "price basket". According to him, 37% of the population faces food insecurity and 8% experiences a chronic food insecurity.

Mr. Mathieu stresses on the necessity to develop a coordinated policy and generator of development projects and of creation of jobs, an effective way to fight against food insecurity, adding that the nutrition education of the population, should be a priority. It also invites the competent authorities to take measures to protect watersheds, in order to secure the crops of peasants and also calls for more investment in agriculture, storage and processing. "It is necessary that we adopt measures designed to promote access to markets," adding that humanitarian aid can not reduce food insecurity.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-3803-haiti-social-wfp-haiti-concerned-about-the-food-security-situation.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-3683-haiti-agriculture-update-on-the-food-safety-until-december-2011.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-3578-haiti-social-food-security-haiti-in-phase-2-before-the-famine.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-3458-haiti-economy-inflation-in-the-country-approaching-10.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-3333-haiti-agriculture-harvest-of-spring-crops-expected-to-be-below-average.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-3253-haiti-agriculture-ambitious-project-aiming-to-strengthen-agricultural-sector.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2338-haiti-agriculture-perspectives-on-food-security-2011.html

PI/ HaitiLibre