HaitiCountry

The Republic of Haiti is a tropical Caribbean country located south of Cuba and west of the Dominican Republic. The most mountainous country in the Caribbean, Haiti has stunning landscapes and views, along with natural coasts and beaches. The population is young, with 50 percent of Haiti's 11.2 million people under the age of 23. Haitians predominantly speak French and Creole, and are largely Roman Catholic and Protestant while practicing some elements of locally recognized Vodou.

Known for its revolutionary spirit, Haiti won independence from France in a slave-led revolution in 1804. Today, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and grapples with ongoing political instability and natural disasters. In 2010, an earthquake hit Haiti, devastating its economy and killing more than 300,000 people. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew struck the country, causing losses totaling 32 percent of its GDP. Haiti remains particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, with 96 percent of the population at risk.

With about 65 percent of the population living in poverty, one-quarter of Haitians are unable to cover basic food requirements, and more than 40 percent lack access to clean water. Non-communicable diseases such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes, congenital defects, and chronic kidney disease have notably increased in recent years as the cause of most deaths in Haiti. While some communicable diseases have decreased on average, lower respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, neonatal disorders, and diarrheal diseases continue to be significant contributors to deaths in the country.