The United States remains deeply concerned about the current situation in the Republic of Haiti, where demonstrations, sporadic violence, and political gridlock are causing further instability.

The Haitian people are bearing the brunt of these actions. Local small businesses have been destroyed, which jeopardizes livelihoods. Families lack access to food and medicine, which puts them and their children's lives at risk.

In response to the deteriorating food-security conditions, and in light of additional data from USAID's Famine Early-Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), the Government of Haiti, and partners on the ground, USAID will release 2,000 metric tons of emergency food stocks prepositioned in Haiti for distribution via the United Nations World Food Programme. These emergency food stocks are in addition to $20 million in emergency food assistance from USAID currently being distributed throughout the country.

However, while this food assistance will help alleviate some urgent needs, it will not, and cannot, address the root causes of the current economic and political paralysis in Haiti, the same factors that are restricting USAID's ability to carry out our normal project activities. Fuel shortages, roadblocks, protests, and violent incidents are severely restricting the movement of USAID staff and implementing partners. This has resulted in the closure of some facilities and the interruption of programming, including life-saving health care.

The United States calls on Haiti's political, economic, and civil-society leaders to form a government that is responsive to the needs of all Haitian citizens.