Nutrition Security in Haiti : Pre- and Post Earthquake Conditions and the Way Forward
Children in Haiti are born into some of the harshest conditions on the planet, and are left at a disadvantage in terms of growth, development, and potential to thrive. Malnutrition rates in Haiti are among the worst in the Latin America and Caribbean Region. Nearly one-third of all children under-five suffer from stunted growth and three quarters of children 6-24 months are anemic. Malnutrition takes a serious and irreversible toll, making children more susceptible to disease and death and compromising their cognitive and physical development, which results in low human capital and diminished lifetime earnings. Yet, scaling up ten key nutrition interventions in Haiti is estimated to cost only $46.5 million per year, which is less than 1percent of Haiti's total Gross Domestic Product (GDP).