Fight Poverty in Haiti

Is Haiti the poorest country in the world?

According to the CIA World Factbook, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Based on real GDP per capita, it currently ranks as the 32nd poorest country in the world.

What is the poverty rate in Haiti?

Haiti’s national poverty rate is 58.5%, based on the number of people living on less than $2.41 a day. (Extreme poverty is based on the number of people living on $1.25 or less per day.)

What causes poverty in Haiti?

Haiti was once the wealthiest country in the Caribbean because it was a key player in the sugar trade. Today, extreme deforestation and the destruction of natural resources for export have damaged the country’s potential for economic success. Poverty, instability, corruption, vulnerability to natural disasters, unemployment and persistent illiteracy are among the most serious obstructions to Haiti’s stability and economic growth. Haiti also experiences high rates of disease, unclean water, malnutrition and poor health care.

What is the best hope for Haiti?

The best hope for Haiti is provided by the Church’s commitment to holistic, transformative change — an approach that addresses both material and spiritual needs. This strategy also encourages greater self-sufficiency and restores the dignity of those being helped. Efforts of this kind have proven most effective, in part because they allow struggling families to lift themselves out of the cycle of poverty. This is an empowering process that builds confidence, encourages self-reliance and restores hope.

What causes hunger in Haiti?

The causes behind hunger are varied and complex. In Haiti, climate conditions play a contributing role, as frequent droughts, tropical storms and hurricanes destroy harvests. Deforestation and slash-and-burn farming methods have also decreased the availability of viable farmland. Additionally, instability and turmoil drive food costs up, making it difficult for families — particularly those in remote communities — to either afford food or access major shopping centers. In rural areas, contaminated water often causes vomiting and diarrhea, further sapping young bodies of critical nutrients. With all these factors working together, Haiti has one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the world. Nearly 10% of its children under age 5 are underweight.

What are housing conditions like in Haiti?

According to the World Bank Group, Haiti is considered the most unequal country in Latin America and the Caribbean. Stark differences are most apparent between the cities and the countryside. Almost 70% of rural households are considered chronically poor, as opposed to 20% in urban areas, and more than half of Haiti’s people live in rural communities. While living conditions have gradually improved for many living in the city, rural families continue to face harsh challenges. Rural houses are typically one- or two-room dwellings made from mud, grasses, palm fronds, and scraps of plastic, wood and metal. These precarious structures offer little to no protection from the region’s frequent storms. In addition, rural residents often lack access to infrastructure that could improve their lives. For instance, only about 11% have access to electricity, and just 16% have improved sanitation.

What is health care like in Haiti?

Haiti has experienced a “brain drain” wherein the most educated citizens often immigrate to live and work in other countries. As such, the country faces a severe shortage of skilled medical workers. There are, for instance, only about 23 physicians for every 100,000 people. Quality care also remains unaffordable for many of the poorest families. The World Bank Group found that among households that did not consult a professional, 49% cited financial limitations. Lack of affordable, professional care and health education contributes to the very high risk of infectious diseases, including bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, typhoid fever, dengue fever, and malaria. Haiti also carries the greatest HIV/AIDS burden in the Caribbean and has the 23rd-highest rate in the world. By supporting health programs and educating young professionals, we can empower Haiti’s people to improve their health and strengthen their communities.

Where did the 2010 earthquake occur?

On January 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti near Léogâne, about 16 miles west of the capital, Port-au-Prince. With at least 220,000 lives lost and approximately 1.5 million left homeless, this quake was the most devastating natural disaster ever experienced in the country. Ten years later, its effects are still being felt.