RemittancesGateway.org

Executive Summary
The current food security situation, which rapidly deteriorated following the January 12 earthquake, has recently improved in response to 1) the provision of emergency food and non- food aid; 2) increased remittances; and 3) increased labor opportunities through cash- for- work activities and the resumption of casual labor and small business activities.

Although current conditions are dynamic, CNSA and FEWS NET estimate that approximately 2.5 million people are food insecure, of which one million require emergency food and non- food assistance. The remainder require longer- term assistance to address chronic poverty and food insecurity. Most of the food insecure population is located in the metropolitan area of Port- au- Prince, the Northwest, and in isolated and degraded mountainous areas in all departments.

Local availability of basic commercial food stocks is good in the metropolitan area of Port- au- Prince, augmented by the large- scale distribution of food aid rice (approximately 10,000 MT) over the last two weeks. However, the commercial supply of imported foods, such as rice, is insufficient, which could create shortages and price hikes in the months ahead.

The spring season starting in March contributes about 60 percent of domestic crop production. Domestic production covers about 45 percent of the national food needs (commercial imports cover 52 percent and food aid the remaining 3 percent). The hunger period in rural areas, normally in April- May, may start sooner this year because of the impact of the earthquake. At harvest time in June- July, availability will improve significantly and prices may go down, depending on international prices and the volume of food aid.

The immediate impact of the earthquake has been the decline in market demand for food, principally due to decreasing purchasing power attributed to the loss of employment opportunities and assets. At the same time, two factors may have caused a contraction in supply: 1) civil insecurity, which has led to an increase in marketing costs, and 2) uncertainty faced by importers regarding future demand, after the distribution of substantial volumes of food aid.

In some respects, food utilization has improved in comparison to the first two weeks after the earthquake due to the distribution of water purification kits in affected areas, and medical assistance has increased. However, the extremely poor sanitation and hygiene conditions in temporary shelters set up after the earthquake are a major concern, and could encourage the spread of disease and increased malnutrition and mortality. This is of particular concern as the rainy season begins in less than a month, and is typically associated with an increase in morbidity.

The massive population displacement from Port- au- Prince to other parts of the country has slowed following the gradual recovery of economic activity and humanitarian responses in Port au- Prince. The Government of Haiti has estimated that about 500,000 IDPs have left Port- au Prince. This estimate is likely high and the resumption of economic activities and food aid in Port au Prince are attracting people back to the capital, though it is difficult to know how many have returned.

Household- level vulnerability has worsened due to a considerable loss of physical and human capital and the lack of access to basic social services. The scale and speed with which Port- au- Prince and other affected areas are rebuilt will be crucial for reducing food insecurity and vulnerability in the medium and long term.

CNSA and FEWS NET recommend that the government and its partners: (1) increase efforts to improve environmental health and sanitation conditions in IDP settlements and points of sale for food products; (2) increase deliveries of inputs to farmers with the planting season fast approaching; 3) emphasize the provision of non- food aid, particularly temporary shelters and psychological support for earthquake victims; and 4) develop contingency plans for the upcoming rainy season and hurricane season.