1 in 13 Haitian Children Under Five Severely Malnourished, UNICEF Finds

A new nutrition survey in Haiti has found that one in every 13 children aged between six months and five years is suffering from acute malnutrition. The findings, released by UNICEF and Haiti's Ministry of Public Health, highlight the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Caribbean nation.

The survey, conducted in the municipalities of Cité Soleil and Croix-des-Bouquets, shows that the prevalence of moderate or severe wasting has risen from 5% to over 7% in the past three years. Nationally, global acute malnutrition among children aged six to 59 months now stands at 7.4%, up from 7.1% in 2023.

UNICEF attributes the worsening situation to a combination of insecurity, political instability, forced displacement, and food insecurity. Gang violence has surged in recent years, with armed groups blocking access to humanitarian aid and attacking schools and hospitals. The most affected areas include makeshift shelters and impoverished communities in Port-au-Prince, as well as the northwest and central regions, where thousands have fled their homes.

Paulaine Saintemma, a 53-year-old shelter resident, described her family's daily struggle. "We do not get food, we do not get money. We are suffering," she said. She noted that her six children, though not currently malnourished, often go hungry, with meals reduced to bread and water.

The survey involved hundreds of trained volunteers who used the SMART methodology to measure children's height, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference. The data reveals a broader picture of child development challenges.

UNICEF estimates it needs US$256.6 million to respond to the situation. The broader context remains grim: nearly 40% of Haitians live on less than $2.15 a day, the economy has contracted for seven consecutive years, and inflation reached 32% at the end of fiscal year 2025. At least 5.8 million people—almost half the population—face high levels of acute food insecurity.