Poverty in Haiti

Long years of social and political upheaval, combined with an economy which fails to distribute wealth beyond a narrow elite, have inhibited poverty reduction programmes in Haiti. Since the 1990 baseline year for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the $1 per day measure of extreme poverty has reduced from 60% only to 58%. In 2008, this was one of the highest rates in the world. Even on an “optimistic scenario” for the years to 2015, UNDP projects little improvement.

Haitian school © Noticias Aliadas / Latinamerica Press

The World Bank reports that “50 percent of children do not attend school, and 80 percent of those who do attend private schools”. Inadequate education and inequitable land distribution are factors which reinforce the huge wealth gap, especially between the tiny French-speaking elite (about 1% owns 50% of the wealth) and the majority Creole community. The Gini Coefficient measure of inequality for Haiti was exceeded only by five other countries in 2007/08.

A National Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) integrating the MDGs was finally approved in 2007. Whilst there has been criticism that the PRSP process has not been inclusive, its approval is an important milestone towards debt relief and the release of elusive foreign aid.

Food Security in Haiti

Haitian woman © Refugees International

Within the space of a generation, Haiti has regressed from self-sufficiency in domestic food production to substantial dependency on imports. Over 80% of staple rice grain is now imported. The imposition of liberal market economics by the international financial institutions was a major factor in this transformation. The tariff on rice was reduced from 35% to 3% in the 1990s, opening the floodgates to cheap imports from subsidised US farmers. By contrast, state support for agriculture in Haiti was prohibited as a condition for aid and loans. Lacking intervention, the cycle of poverty and land degradation was unchecked to the point that 50% of land is unsuitable for cultivation.

The consequence is that over half of the population is undernourished and 24% of children are classed as suffering chronic malnutrition. The World Food Programme (WFP) has said that Haiti is amongst the three countries in the world with the lowest daily food consumption, over 450 calories below the recommended minimum per capita.

The impact of sharply rising food prices during the first half of 2008 on a population unable to afford them was therefore untenable, even for the notable capacity of Haitian communities to cope with extreme want. A week of food riots in April 2008 resulted in fatalities, attracting world attention and prompting parliament to force the resignation of the prime minister. President Rene Preval had no choice but to abandon dogmatic economics and subsidise the price of rice.

Meanwhile the prices of staple foods remain far above their levels at the end of 2007 and 40% of the population is deemed to be food insecure. WFP is providing aid for 250,000 of those most in need, together with school feeding programmes for 500,000 children.
Climate Change in Haiti

Food security suffered a further setback in the destruction of crops and stores by the tragic series of hurricanes that struck Haiti within the space of 3 weeks in the 2008 season. The UN’s emergency appeal for $127 million described the storms as the worst catastrophe in the country’s modern history. 800 people were killed and 100,000 homes destroyed or damaged.

Haitian hillsides with no trees cannot hold back landslides © Grassroots International

Whether or not this particular extreme weather event can be attributed to climate change, the outlook for Haiti is grim. Prediction of future Caribbean storm patterns is proving difficult, but any shift in intensity, frequency or rainfall volume injects an alarming new dimension to the damaging feedback loops between environmental degradation and poverty. Many poor Haitians still rely on wood and charcoal for domestic activities which sets off a chain of deforestation, desertification, soil erosion and crop failure. Widespread deforestation has affected 98% of Haiti's forests, leaving exposed hillsides at the mercy of the hurricanes. Images of the ruin of the city of Gonaives, half buried by mudslides, defined the 2008 devastation.

In neighbouring Dominican Republic, where forest cover has been preserved, loss of life and property in the storms has been very significantly lower than in Haiti. By way of urgent climate change adaptation, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank, UNDP and donor agencies have granted Haiti loans to finance forest preservation projects and a national flood early warning system.
Health in Haiti

Haiti emergency © ICRC

Haiti's poor health statistics reflect the culture of violence and economic deprivation. Lack of clean water for almost half of the population, poor housing, and the shortage of doctors contribute to poor health conditions, especially in rural areas. The World Health Organization, UNICEF and other UN and donor agencies are supporting the government in rebuilding its primary health care system. Nevertheless, nearly 50% of health services are provided by non-governmental organisations. Cuban doctors are also a source of support.

In the absence of adequate health care, over 75% of births in Haiti take place without qualified assistance, resulting in alarmingly high maternal mortality rates. Children are equally affected, comprising a third of all deaths in Haiti, with malnutrition, diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections prevalent among many 0-5 year olds. Despite 60%-80% of Haitians being at risk of exposure to malaria, no national prevention plans are in place.

Progress has been made in halting and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS with prevalence falling from 6.5% in 2000 to 2.2% in 2006. However, within the sub-group of pregnant women, prevalence increased from 3.0% to 4.4%, suggesting that it is too soon to conclude that the MDG to “reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS” has been achieved. NGO and government initiatives focus on breaking down superstitious attitudes towards the virus and on the stigma which impedes integration of people living with HIV/AIDS. Special attention is also being paid to gender based violence in light of the incidence of sexual violence in a lawless society.
Conflict in Haiti

Jean Bertrand Aristide © Radio Netherlands Wereldomroep

Haiti's recent history has been plagued by internal conflict. In 1990, following the collapse of the notoriously brutal Duvalier dictatorship in which thousands of people were killed or exiled, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a Roman Catholic priest and champion of the poor, became Haiti's first democratically elected leader. Hopes for stability and democratic reform were dashed within just seven months when the new president was forced to flee after a military coup supported by the wealthy elite.

American military intervention reinstated President Aristide in 1994, and, after giving way to Rene Preval (1996-2001), he was re-elected in 2001. But a violent insurgency led by Aristide's opponents claimed control over increasing areas of the country until he was forced to resign and flee in February 2004. The exact role of the international community in the downfall of Aristide has never been made clear but a UN peacekeeping force was immediately deployed.

A peacekeeper in Bel Air, Haiti © Refugees International

Subsequently known as MINUSTAH, and led by Brazil, this force was tasked with creating a secure environment in which fresh elections could take place. MINUSTAH is a substantial UN force comprising over 7.000 troops and 2,000 police. The UN has been obliged to extend its mandate due to anarchic conditions of gangland violence and incompetent policing. Drugs and arms smuggling continue to fuel the violence with the proliferation of small arms causing particular concern.

Efforts by MINUSTAH to disarm the population have been largely unsuccessful. However, in 2007 MINUSTAH adopted a more aggressive strategy in taking control of gang territory and arresting or killing leaders.Whilst this achievement is recognised, the force lacks overwhelming support within Haiti especially when engaged to resist popular movements such as the food protests.
Politics in Haiti

Election rally, Haiti © Marc French / Panos Pictures

The first presidential and congressional elections in Haiti since President Aristide was ousted finally took place in February 2006, following four postponements caused by logistical and security concerns. Former president Rene Preval was the victor, gaining just sufficient votes in the first round. Although his party, Platform Lespwa (Hope Platform), enjoyed strong backing from Aristide supporters of the former Lavalas Party, Preval has shown no sign as yet of encouraging the former president to return from exile in South Africa. His government, now led by prime minister Michele Pierre-Louis, depends on support from other minority parties.

The task of stabilisation and reform is daunting. The Transparency International table published for 2008 rates Haiti as the most corrupt country in the world apart from Iraq, Somalia and Myanmar. The judicial system lies at the heart of this weakness, seemingly unable to carry out its basic function; fewer than 20% of prisoners in Haiti have been tried and sentenced. The Haitian National Police (HNP) lacks resources (only 63 officials per 100,000 of population) and is vulnerable to bribes.

A vibrant and highly committed group of international NGOs continue to work on gender, human rights and health issues throughout Haiti. Political crises and eruptions of violence have often affected these organisations, limiting partnerships and undermining aid programmes. On the other hand, there has been criticism of the international aid community for setting agendas independent of each other and of the government.
Human Rights in Haiti

Haiti police violence © Groupe Medialternatif

Haiti has failed to improve significantly on its poor human rights record in recent years. Allegations of kidnappings, arbitrary arrests, torture, extrajudicial execution and prison abuses are repeatedly raised against the HNP. Violence against women has mushroomed during the repeated periods of lawlessness and political instability. Human Rights Watch and the National Coalition for Haitian Refugees have found that military forces and paramilitary groups use rape and sexual assault to spread chaos and fear, and to intimidate and punish women for their political affiliation. Even members of the UN force were sent home in disgrace in 2007 for sexual exploitation of young Haitian women.

Press freedom has improved under the Preval government although many journalists practice self-censorship, conscious of the attacks they have suffered in the past. Over 250 private radio stations provide the country's favoured means of communication.
The Economy in Haiti

Co-operative coffee in Haiti © Cooperativa cafetera en Haití / Intermón Oxfam

The Haitian economy was once dominated by agricultural production, including coffee, cocoa, mangos, and a small industrialised export sector centred on textiles. Demands for economic liberalisation led to a decline in core industries and agriculture. Haitian producers struggle to compete internationally despite the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), a trade agreement with the US.

After lengthy delays, Haiti is due to reach the completion point under the HIPC debt initiative in mid-2009. External debt of $1.2 billion should be written off, leaving a balance of $500 million. Although President Preval has asked the international community to offer fair terms of trade rather than charity, the economy is almost certain to remain dependent upon foreign aid.

Remittances from Haitians who have left the country in search of better living conditions are at risk in the global recession. These were estimated to be as much as 25% of GDP in 2007. Over one million Haitians are believed to be working in Dominican Republic, despite the risks of illegal entry and the discrimination experienced in everyday life.



The OneWorld Haiti Guide was first published in this format in March 2006 with a text written by Volunteer Editor Renske Hoekstra

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