Poverty in Haiti
Every Haitian deserves the chance to earn a decent living and provide for their family.
Haiti is frequently described by international organizations as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Behind that label are millions of hard-working people who face limited job opportunities, high living costs and fragile public services.
Poverty in Haiti has many interconnected causes: a long history of political and economic instability, repeated natural disasters, environmental degradation, limited access to education and health care, and weak infrastructure. Each of these makes the others harder to solve.
How poverty affects daily life
- Limited access to clean water, sanitation and electricity in many communities
- Food insecurity, especially in rural areas and after droughts, storms or price increases
- Many families rely on informal work with little security or protection
- Young people often leave rural areas or the country altogether in search of opportunity
What can make a difference
Lasting progress depends on Haitians having the tools to build their own prosperity: education and skills training, access to fair credit for small businesses and farmers, reliable infrastructure, and stable institutions that protect people's work and property.
The Haitian diaspora already plays an important role through remittances to family members. Beyond that, diaspora members can share professional skills, support reputable community organizations, mentor young people and invest responsibly in Haitian businesses.
L'union fait la force — unity makes strength
Join Haitians and friends of Haiti across the United States who want to help.