Acute malnutrition climbs to 7.4% among Haitian children aged 6 to 59 months

The Haitian government, UNICEF and nutrition-sector partners are warning that acute malnutrition is getting worse. According to Métropole, which reports on a document published this week, 31 communes could reach a serious or critical level before May 2027. The document places the deterioration mainly in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, the Reste Ouest and the Artibonite.

A prevalence that has risen since 2023

The 2026 national SMART survey puts global acute malnutrition among children aged 6 to 59 months at 7.4%. It was 5.1% in the 2023 survey. The Ministry of Public Health and Population led the work with support from UNICEF and nutrition partners. The survey also covers children aged 0 to 59 months and women aged 15 to 49. It also estimates retrospective mortality for the general population and for children under 5.

Violence, displacement and disease

According to the document, gang violence, population displacement and the closure of health facilities are reducing children's and women's access to care and nutrition. Specialists also cite feeding practices as a determining factor. Early initiation of breastfeeding is improving, at 68.0%, but illness rates remain high. Diphtheria outbreaks are also taking a toll: the throat inflammation they cause physically prevents children from eating.

What the IPC analysis projects

Carried out in September 2026 by the MSPP, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, the FAO and their partners, the IPC analysis classifies Arcahaie, Cabaret and Cité Soleil as serious (Phase 3). It places 59 other communes on alert (Phase 2).

For the period from December 2026 to May 2027, it projects a sharp deterioration. It attributes this to armed violence, displacement and deportations, the electoral context, El Niño and the decline in humanitarian aid. Cabaret and Cité Soleil would move into critical (Phase 4), along with 29 communes in Phase 3, including Port-au-Prince, Delmas, Carrefour, Croix-des-Bouquets, Gonaïves and Saint-Marc.

Food insecurity and funding

The number of people facing acute food insecurity continues to rise. More than 5.83 million people, or 52% of the population analyzed, are expected to be in Phase 3 or higher from March to June 2026. The Nutrition Cluster is only 19% funded, which corresponds to US$7.7 million disbursed.