Haiti has been forgotten by the world - WFP boss

It’s been three years of anguish for millions of Haitians who have been hit the hardest by drought.

“The world has forgotten Haiti,” said WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin.

Changes in the first two years were climate related, but now El Nino is taking its toll.

The UN World Food Programme is setting up an emergency operation to help those affected.

Haiti drought: UN launches emergency operation in rural Haiti #NTVAtOne vickyrubadiri pic.twitter.com/OPcNmjMyo4

— NTV Kenya (ntvkenya) April 20, 2016

“This country has suffered through 3 years of drought, 2 years that were climate related, now El Niño drought. I’m with a family who is representative of what is happening to the most vulnerable people here in Haiti. Because of lack of water, lack of rain and the agriculture is rain-fed, that means that charcoal is the only way for a family to earn a living,” she added.

Residents say they literally have nothing to eat and if per chance they get something, it is not enough. This means the children suffer too.

“This child has had nothing to eat since yesterday, the neighbour eventually gave her something to eat, but we ourselves can’t,” said Kesnel Alizor, a local farmer.

Livestock which was once the economic lifeline of these communities is dying at an unprecedented rate.

“This is a tough zone to live in. All of our animals died. We used to be able to work, but now we can’t because it hasn’t rained,” another farmer Roseline said.

The operations are expected to assist at least a tenth of the country’s population.

10 million population face food insecurity including 1.5 million who do not know what or when their next meal will be.

Reuters