Reportage
Haiti: in Port-au-Prince, basic necessities are scarce on the markets
Audio 01:22
In Port-au-Prince, the tension linked to the increase in gasoline prices is pushing up the prices of basic necessities while some of them are scarce on the market.
RFI/Assétou Samake
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
In Port-au-Prince, the tension linked to the increase in gasoline prices is pushing up the prices of basic necessities while some of them are scarce on the market.
It is becoming more and more difficult for families already affected by inflation which reached 29% last August to feed themselves.
Shopkeepers complain about this situation.
Visit to some public markets in the metropolitan area.
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With our correspondent in Port-au-Prince,
Marie André Bélange
In this public market in the heart of Port-au-Prince, apart from the street vendors who come and go, the noisy atmosphere that usually reigns is not really present.
There are a lot of buyers missing.
Oil, rice and wheat flour have increased during the protest movements in recent days, reports Marcelin, a food merchant: “
For example, the small pot of local rice now sells for 200 gourdes against 150 gourdes.
People can't buy anymore.
They are forced to leave.
We are only registering losses.
»
►Also read:
Riots in Haiti: strong reactions from the population after the intervention of the Prime Minister
Huge food insecurity
A fruit and vegetable seller confirms the situation and adds that the rise in prices in recent days in Port-au-Prince is due in particular to the paralysis of traffic on certain roads taken over by the protesters.
“
It's difficult to transport the products,
” she says.
Those lucky enough to make their way to market have no choice but to raise prices.
Because they had to pay the motorcycle drivers who transport them but also those who monitor the barricades to be able to pass.
This is the case for me.
»
Today, 5.6 million Haitians are food insecure, according to the UN.
With the increase in the prices of basic necessities, this number is likely to increase if the Haitian authorities do nothing to remedy this situation.
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Haiti
Economic crisis
consumption