Reviving agricultural production in Haiti in the context of multiple crises

In collaboration with Haiti’s Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, FAO carried out agricultural input distributions to support vulnerable farming families to prepare for the spring season in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic and humanitarian crisis in the country. Activities took place in May 2020 in the most food-insecure areas under FAO’s emergency response programme thanks to funding from Belgium, the Central Emergency Response Fund and the Organization’s own resources.

The objective of the intervention is to restore the agricultural production of vulnerable households in order to improve their food security and nutrition, and allow them to generate income to meet their basic needs. In the departments of Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Nippes and Grand’Anse, a total of 9 900 households (49 500 people) facing severe acute food insecurity received 134 tonnes of cereal (rice and maize) and pulse (Lima bean, groundnut and pigeon pea) seeds, as well as 7.9 million of sweet potato and cassava cuttings.

During distribution activities FAO also raised awareness on protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse among rural communities, and FAO’s Accountability to Affected Populations mechanism, as well as sensitized beneficiaries on the necessary measures to reduce the spread of the pandemic.