About Poverty in HaitiFast Facts- Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
- It has the highest infant mortality, malnutrition and HIV/AIDS rates in the Americas.
- Of its population, almost 75 percent are children.
- It is the world’s fourth poorest country in the world.
- The richest 1% of the population controls nearly half of all of Haiti’s wealth.
- Over 50 percent of the population live below the US$1 a day poverty line.
Haiti, with its population of 8.3 million people, occupies the western third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. One of the most densely populated nations in the Western Hemisphere, it is also considered the poorest country in the hemisphere.
Haiti is a French and Creole speaking country. It measures 10,714 sq miles and was originally inhabited by the Taíno Arawak people. Historically, it has achieved several remarkable feats. It was the first independent black-led republic and the only nation to form from a successful slave rebellion. Toussaint L’Ouverture led a successful slave uprising against the French. In 1804, Haiti became the first independent black nation in the Western hemisphere.
More recently, following the ousting of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 2004, Haiti has been undergoing a state of transition. René Préval was elected president in his place in February 2006 and took office in May of that year.
Despite Haiti’s return in 1994 to constitutional government, and support from the international community, real GDP fell almost 30 percent between 1992 and 1994. Agricultural production and exports had also plummeted because of the embargo.
Haiti continues to face many challenges today, especially poverty. Accordingo to the Haitian Health Foundation, Haitihas the highest infant mortality, malnutrition and HIV/AIDS rates in the Americas.The poor of Haiti live without running water, toilets, or electricity. Most do not have adequate food or shelter. Very few children can afford to go to school. With average incomes of only $1 per day, the children often go hungry.
Eighty percent of the rural population lives below the poverty line.
The extremely wealthy in Haiti make up a small elite of several thousand families. This includes many millionaires.
What is being done?Organizations like Haitian Health Foundation are dedicated to improving the lives of the people of Haiti. The Haitian Health Foundation started in 1982, when a group of volunteer health professionals began providing much-needed healthcare to locals of Port au Prince, Haiti. In 1985, after four years in Port au Prince, HHF moved its outreach to Jeremie, a remote area at the western end of the country at the suggestion of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, in order to bring healthcare, hope and opportunity to this especially poor region. The average income of residents of Jeremie is $90-$300 per year.
Today, HHF has grown into a 27,000-square-foot clinic on 10 acres of land. The clinic serves 200,000 people in 104 villages. Haitian Health Foundation has created a stable and nurturing preventive and curative health and development program for the communities it serves. The clinic provides dental, medical, emergency, and nutritional care with an emphasis on preventive, prenatal and pediatric care.
What can I do to help?- Support groups like the Haitian Health Foundation. (You can donate to this group through The Haitian Health Foundation.)
- Watch and tell others about 4REAL Haiti featuring health agent Camseuze Moise and the Haitian Health Foundation.
- Read and learn more about Haiti, its history and current issues.
4REAL Haiti credits coming soon...