As global attention turns to high-level diplomatic visits elsewhere, Haiti has received a significant humanitarian-focused visit of its own, with Princess Sarah Zeid arriving in the crisis-stricken nation to assess conditions on the ground.
The Jordanian royal’s visit, facilitated by the United Nations World Food Programme, comes at a time when Haiti is grappling with one of the most severe humanitarian emergencies in the Western Hemisphere. Touching down in Port-au-Prince aboard a WFP helicopter, Princess Sarah was welcomed by country director Wanja Kaaria before beginning a series of field visits.
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Her itinerary focused on some of the country’s most vulnerable populations, including displaced families living in overcrowded camps after fleeing escalating gang violence. Haiti now has nearly 1.5 million internally displaced people, many of whom face dire living conditions, food shortages, and limited access to basic services.
Particular attention was given to the plight of women and children, who are among the most at risk in displacement settings. Reports of sexual violence and exploitation have surged, highlighting the urgent need for protection measures alongside humanitarian aid.
The visit underscores the scale of Haiti’s deepening food crisis. According to the World Food Programme, approximately 5.9 million Haitians, more than half the population, are experiencing acute or severe food insecurity. Armed groups continue to control large sections of the capital and are expanding into other regions, disrupting supply chains and worsening hunger.
In response, the United States has stepped in with emergency assistance through its Food for Peace program, providing staples such as rice, beans, and vegetable oil. The aid package is expected to support more than 390,000 Haitians over the next 18 months, with targeted distributions planned for those facing the highest levels of hunger, including newly displaced families.
Beyond immediate food relief, the initiative includes fortified cereals and specialized nutrition products, along with malnutrition screenings and awareness campaigns aimed at preventing child hunger. The program is also building reserves, pre-positioning thousands of tons of food to prepare for future shocks, including extreme weather events that frequently impact the island.
Despite these efforts, funding remains a major challenge. Stéphane Dujarric recently noted that the World Food Programme requires approximately $332 million to sustain its operations this year. If secured, the agency aims to reach more than 2.7 million people with critical assistance and resilience-building support.
Princess Sarah’s visit brings renewed international attention to Haiti’s worsening crisis, offering a stark reminder that, beyond geopolitical headlines, millions of Haitians continue to face daily struggles for safety, food, and survival.
