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An estimated 93,873 children will experience severe acute malnutrition, a condition that is potentially life-threatening and requires immediate treatment, while another 159,852 children are estimated to suffer from moderate acute malnutrition. An estimated 25,750 pregnant and breastfeeding women also require nutritional support.
This assessment was published by the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Food and Agriculture Organization (F.A.O) and the World Food Program (WFP), with nutrition partners.
These findings highlight areas where humanitarian assistance and nutrition services are most needed. The expected worsening of conditions is expected to increase demand for treatment and place additional pressure on already overwhelmed health and human services.
The family was forced to flee
Some 1.47 million people were internally displaced in Haiti by mid-May 2026, according to the assessment. Ongoing insecurity has forced many families to flee their homes and disrupted access to food, health services and treatment for malnutrition.
“Behind these numbers are children whose lives can be changed when they receive the right care at the right time.” UNICEF Representative to Haiti Geeta Narayan said.
“Now we must use this evidence to reach children earlier, prevent malnutrition and ensure no child is left without the support they need,” he stressed further.
Conditions are expected to worsen
The situation is expected to become very serious between December 2026 and May 2027. During this period, 29 of Haiti’s 140 municipalities are expected to reach IPC Acute Malnutrition Stage 3, which is classified as “serious.”
The municipalities of Cite Soleil and Cabaret are expected to reach Phase 4, or “critical,” which is the second highest level on the IPC acute malnutrition scale.
FAO Representative in Haiti Pierre Vauthier emphasized that addressing malnutrition also requires addressing its underlying causes, including limited access to diverse and nutritious foods. He called for greater protection of agricultural livelihoods and support for local food production to help vulnerable families weather future shocks.
WFP Representative to Haiti and Country Director Lauren Landis also urged greater investment in prevention, nutrition, health services, school meals and assistance to vulnerable households, and warned that worsening malnutrition could have significant social and economic consequences.
Expand nutritional screening
The three UN agencies called for urgent action from the Haitian government, donors, civil society and international organizations to prioritize expanding community screening and treatment, ensuring therapeutic food supplies, supporting pregnant and breastfeeding women, increasing access to clean water and sanitation, and protecting food production and household livelihoods.
They also urged safe humanitarian access and flexible funding so families can reach essential services and aid organizations can prepare to meet increasing needs.
With violence continuing to disrupt food security, displacement and access to basic services, humanitarian organizations say early intervention is critical to prevent more children from experiencing acute malnutrition and reduce the risk of preventable deaths.
