Witness reports worsening humanitarian crisis in Haiti, cites 5.7 million food insecure and 27% funding

A witness who visited Haiti from March 16 to March 20 said the humanitarian situation there is deteriorating rapidly, citing widespread food insecurity, mass displacement and school closures.

"5.7 million people [are] acutely food insecure," the witness said, adding that families are skipping meals and children are leaving school to help household survival. The witness said schools have also been used to shelter displaced people and that "1,600 schools remain closed due to insecurity," affecting about 250,000 children.

The witness reported that "1,450,000 people [are] displaced," or roughly 12% of the population, and described insecurity as a major driver of education disruption and household hardship. The witness emphasized that the crisis is particularly severe for women and girls, reporting that "last year 8,100 survivors of gender-based violence were recorded," a 25% increase over the prior year, and that "half of the reported cases involved rape" with "one in six survivors under 18."

On funding, the witness said humanitarian organizations were struggling to meet needs, reporting that they "received 27% of what we asked for last year," and warned that aid shortfalls are forcing reductions in lifesaving assistance. The witness called for an end to the violence and greater support for people affected by the crisis: "The people of Haiti cannot wait. The violence must stop."

The statement was delivered as a firsthand account of observations made during the witness's trip and did not include any formal motions or policy actions recorded in the transcript.