Posted on: 25th March 2026

Mary’s Meals has launched an urgent appeal for support as it feeds children in Haiti amid escalating gang shootings and the country’s worst-ever hunger crisis. 

Named after Mary, the mother of Jesus, Mary’s Meals is an international school feeding charity that provides life-changing school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest communities in 16 countries, including Haiti. 

Haiti’s children are running out of options. Hungry and surrounded by violence, many are being recruited into armed gangs – lured by the promise of food. It’s one of the gravest crises affecting children anywhere in the world today. 

More than half of the population – around 5.7 million people – is facing high levels of acute food insecurity.¹ At least 1 million of them are children. The situation is dire. In the absence of a functional government, armed conflict has intensified and gangs control 90% of the capital city, Port-au-Prince. Violence has also spread to other areas previously deemed safe, such as the Centre and Ouest departments, where Mary’s Meals also serves children. As gangs exploit hunger to recruit children, a daily meal served in a place of education is far more than food. 

“Gangs are always trying to target children because they are most vulnerable, most in need of assistance. You cannot get out once you get in a gang. It's either you die, or your family dies, or you stay in,” explains Emmline Toussaint, main coordinator of Mary’s Meals’ school feeding programme in Haiti. “We’ve already lost those aged 15 to 30. That’s why we need to work more with those children aged three to 14. They are the ones that we should focus on, those little ones. They need us to guide them differently,” she says. 

Today in Haiti, more than 1.4 million people are displaced, half of whom are children.² In schools where Mary’s Meals operates, children have a reason to go to class and have the energy to concentrate during lessons, staying connected and – for a short time – feeling safe.  

As the situation continues to deteriorate, Mary’s Meals has launched an urgent appeal to continue providing crucial nutrition to children in a safe place of learning. Together with three expert local partners, the charity is operating in one of the most challenging and risky situations it has ever faced to keep providing vital school meals. Rising costs and disruption are profoundly impacting the way the organisation delivers its programme. As well as the price of food and fuel increasing, the safe transportation of food is also costing more than ever, as suppliers have to use longer but currently safer routes to avoid the gang-controlled main highways. 

Fran Lawson, Mary’s Meals Supporter Engagement Officer for the North of England, says: “Through our Crisis In Haiti appeal, we’d really appreciate your support for children in Haiti, where the situation is desperate. School meals give them a lifeline, and a donation of just £19.15 will help Mary’s Meals continue providing essential nutrition to these children in a safe place of learning.” 

Fran adds: “As the great feast of Easter approaches, I’d like to wish you all a blessed and joyous Easter. Thank you for helping us continue in our mission to feed hungry children and a special thanks to those of you who kindly supported us through your Lenten Almsgiving this year.” 

Donate now at marysmeals.org.uk/haiti 

For more information on how to become a Mary’s Meals church representative or to request a talk from Mary’s Meals at your parish, please contact fran.lawson@marysmeals.org. 

[1] WFP warns Haiti's most vulnerable hit hard by deepening crisis | World Food Programme 

[2] World Report 2026: Haiti | Human Rights Watch