The nutritional situation for hundreds of thousands of children continues to deteriorate across Haiti, while unrelenting violence by armed groups threatens to worsen conditions. According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Food Programme (WFP), more than 250,000 children under five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition between June 2026 and May 2027.
This includes nearly 94,000 children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM), which can be life-threatening without prompt treatment. An additional 160,000 children are expected to suffer from moderate acute malnutrition, and nearly 26,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women will require nutritional support.
An analysis by the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) system, led by Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) and supported by UNICEF, FAO, WFP, WHO, and other partner organizations, shows where additional support is most urgently needed. The projected deterioration would increase demand for care across more communities, placing further pressure on services that many families already struggle to access.
“Behind these figures are children whose lives can change when they receive the right care at the right time,” said Geeta Narayan, UNICEF Representative to Haiti, in a statement on Thursday.
“The IPC helps us see where the needs are greatest. Now we must use that evidence to reach children earlier, prevent malnutrition and make sure no child is left without the support they need.”
The humanitarian organizations warn that the situation could become critical between December of this year and May of next year. During this period, 29 out of 140 municipalities are projected to reach IPC Acute Malnutrition Phase 3. Meanwhile, the neighborhoods of Cité Soleil and Cabaret are expected to reach Phase 4.
"The rapid deterioration of the situation is a stark reminder that investing in malnutrition prevention is not a cost, but a strategic investment in Haiti’s future," said Lauren Landis, WFP Representative to Haiti and Country Director.
“Every dollar invested today in nutrition, health, school meals, and support to vulnerable families helps avert far greater human, social, and economic costs tomorrow. A well-nourished child is more likely to succeed in school, stay healthy, and contribute productively to their country’s development.”
Escalating violence by armed groups is driving widespread displacement and disrupting children's access to food and essential healthcare, including treatment for malnutrition. As of mid-May 2026, nearly 1.5 million people in Haiti were internally displaced, while more than 117,000 people were forcibly returned to Haiti in the first six months of 2026.
Haiti is facing surging gang activity, the collapse of vital public services, and frequent natural disasters, including droughts and floods. The ongoing violence has brought the country to the brink of collapse. In 2026, over half of the population — 6.4 million people — are in need of humanitarian assistance.
Existing food insecurity has been exacerbated by widespread violence, poverty, rising living costs, low agricultural production, and expensive food imports, leaving many women, men, and children suffering from malnutrition and hunger.
According to the latest IPC food security analysis, more than 5.8 million Haitians — over half of the population — face crisis levels (IPC Phase 3) of hunger or worse. Of those individuals, over 1.8 million are experiencing emergency levels (IPC Phase 4).
“Preventing acute malnutrition requires us to act not only on its immediate consequences, but also on its underlying causes,” said Pierre Vauthier, FAO Representative in Haiti.
“Families must be able to access and produce diverse, nutritious food. By protecting agricultural livelihoods and strengthening local food production, we can help vulnerable households meet their nutritional needs, withstand future shocks and reduce their dependence on humanitarian assistance.”
Severe funding shortages continue to limit the scope of humanitarian assistance. The US$880 million Haiti Humanitarian Response Plan for 2026 aims to support 4.2 million people in urgent need. To date, it is only 47 percent funded, having received less than $417 million thus far.
The nutrition sector of the HRP, which requires $41 million, is currently funded at less than 20 percent, having received only $7.5 million.
On Friday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that urgent donor support is needed to scale up life-saving aid and prevent the situation from deteriorating even further.