During a press conference Tuesday, the UN World Food Program (WFP) raised concerns about the humanitarian situation worsening in Haiti with the coming hurricane season. The WFP said that political instability, violence and food shortages in the country may be escalated by a single storm.

Following a visit to Haiti, WFP regional director in Latin America and the Caribbean, Lola Castro, reported that the country faces “emergency levels of hunger.” She warned that it is one of five countries in the world with “catastrophic levels of hunger” and explained that the island’s political conflicts and gang violence have “disrupt[ed] food systems and supply chains,” causing half the population to face starvation.

Castro said the instability and violence have threatened women and girls in particular, stating that at least “6000 women and girls have reported some form of gender violence” and that Port-au-Prince is “probably one of the most dangerous places in the world for woman and girls.” Violence has also displaced regional populations.

While the country is partially bolstered by the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan, Castro argued that the WFP needs $46.4 million “over the next six months to sustain its emergency response and address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition.” She highlighted the hurricane season as another factor which may drive famine and spark more violence.

“This year, we start the hurricane season with an empty warehouse where we have no stocks for assisting any emergency,” Castro said. “We are very concerned that a single storm can put hundreds of thousands of people in Haiti again into humanitarian catastrophe and hunger.”

The UN says that without resources, the agency will have “no capacity to respond,” leaving civilians even more vulnerable. Castro and WFP called on the international community to provide assistance: “We cannot forget the people of Haiti.”