In the latest update of its bulletin, the International Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) reports that widespread acute food insecurity Crisis (Phase 3 of IPC)* and an Emergency situation (IPC Phase 4)** persist in Cité Soleil, given the current context of socio-political unrest and the worsening acts of violence, particularly in the capital.

Unrest has increased considerably, both in the capital and in provincial towns, due to repeated calls for the resignation of the Head of Government. This situation creates a climate of fear, leading to repercussions on the typical functioning of educational institutions, markets and fuel distribution outside the capital.

The deterioration of the security situation contributes to the maintenance of commodity prices at high levels compared to the average, due to the increase in transaction costs due, among other things, to the payment of illegal passage fees demanded from traders, as well as the scarcity of basic food products on the markets caused by disruptions in the market supply chain.

The Gourde appreciated by more than 10% year-on-year against the US dollar and stabilized month-on-month (December 2023-January 2024). However, this annual appreciation and monthly stability have little impact on the prices of basic food products, particularly imported products, which remain high compared to the annual (January 2023/2024) and particularly five-year (2019/2023) averages, whose positive fluctuations are close to 100% due to dysfunctions in the market supply chain, a direct consequence of insecurity.

This situation makes depot owners indecisive about restocking their goods and pushes them to keep their prices high. In addition SHODECO SA, the main private warehouse at the bottom of the town was closed after several scenes of looting due to insecurity.

Finally, below-average rainfall, with an irregular spatio-temporal distribution, was recorded in December and January. This rainfall deficit, coupled with irregular distribution, has led to delays in the establishment of winter crops (beans, corn), which are struggling to reach maturity in most of the country's agro-ecological zones, while the harvests should be initiated, for the most part, from January until their peak in February. The drop in winter campaign activities may also affect the launch of the spring 2024 campaign.

*IPC Phase 3: Acute food and livelihood crisis

Acute and critical insufficiency of access to food accompanied by serious and unusual malnutrition and an accelerated depletion of assets relating to the means of existence which, if the situation continues, will cause the population to fall into poverty. Phase 4 or 5 and/or will likely result in chronic poverty ;

**IPC Phase 4: (Humanitarian Emergency)

Serious lack of access to food accompanied by excessive mortality, very high and increasing malnutrition and irreversible depletion of livelihood assets.

HL/ HaitiLibre