Food Insecurity and Livelihood Systems in Northwest Haiti

Abstract

This paper examines rural livelihood systems in Haiti from both a political and
ecological perspective. While political developments in Haiti have taken center stage in
most analyses, the environmental impacts of population growth, highly varied livelihood
strategies, and migration opportunities appear to have played a major role in the current tragic situation. Illegal migration not only seems to alleviate short term poverty but also appears to benefit households long term as revenues from migration improve households' land holding situation. Nevertheless, the steadily declining ecological situation may already be exceeding the creative livelihood strategies of Haitian producers.

Key words: Haiti, political economy, political ecology, livelihood strategies,
households, livestock, agriculture, migration.