GAZA AND HAITI ON THE VERGE OF FAMINE

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Picture Courtesy: https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-12-28/in-war-stricken-gaza-hunger-is-a-constant-companion

Context: Decades of conflict and Israel's strict blockade have severely limited Gazans' access to food, with 80% relying on humanitarian aid even before the recent war, while political instability and gang violence in Haiti have disrupted food distribution networks, contributing to the pre-existing hunger crisis.

Food Crisis in Gaza and Haiti, why? 

• The famine-threatening crises in Gaza and Haiti are the outcome of recent hostilities, but these conflicts have exposed long-standing issues that make these regions highly vulnerable to food shortages.

Way Forward

• Ending the conflict in Gaza and restoring order in Haiti are crucial to allow food distribution and agricultural activities to resume. This may involve international mediation efforts and pressure on warring parties in Gaza, as well as support for Haitian law enforcement to quell gang violence.

Humanitarian Aid

• Scaling up food aid programs by UN agencies and NGOs is essential to reach those most vulnerable. This could involve distributing food vouchers, establishing food distribution centres, and providing cash assistance to families for food purchases.
• Addressing malnutrition and preventing disease outbreaks requires increased medical support. This includes deploying medical personnel to treat malnourished children, providing vaccinations, and ensuring access to clean water and sanitation facilities.

Long-Term Solutions

• Investing in Gaza and Haiti's economies to create jobs and improve food security is vital for long-term stability. This could involve international aid programs that support small businesses, infrastructure development projects, and job training initiatives.
• Supporting local agriculture through training and infrastructure projects can make these regions less reliant on food imports. This could involve providing farmers with access to better seeds and fertilizers, teaching them drought-resistant farming techniques, and improving irrigation systems.

International Pressure

• The international community can urge involved parties in Gaza and the Haitian government to prioritize solutions to prevent famine. This could involve diplomatic pressure, targeted sanctions, or the threat of withholding aid unless concrete steps are taken to address the food crisis.

Gaza

• The Gaza Strip or Gaza is the smaller of the two Palestinian territories (the other being the West Bank).
• On the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Gaza is bordered by Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the east and north.
• Living conditions in the Gaza Strip are generally poor for a number of reasons, including the regions dense and rapidly growing population (one of the highest in the world), inadequate water, sewage, and electrical services, high unemployment rates, and Israeli sanctions imposed on the region.
• Agriculture is the primary source of income for the employed population, with over three-quarters of the land area under cultivation. Citrus fruit, the main crop, is grown on irrigated land and sold to Europe and other countries under an agreement with Israel. Truck crops, wheat, and olives are also grown.

Haiti

• Haiti is a Caribbean republic located on the island of Hispaniola, east of Cuba and Jamaica and south of the Bahamas.
• Haiti is the third-largest country in the Caribbean, and has an estimated population of 11.4 million, making it the most populous Caribbean country. The capital is Port-au-Prince.
• Haiti, whose population is nearly completely made up of enslaved Africans, gained independence from France in 1804, becoming the Americas' second-freest republic after the United States.
• Economic, political, and social difficulties, as well as a number of natural calamities, have plagued Haiti for generations, causing persistent poverty and other major issues.