In the News: Haitians Riot Over Rising Food Prices

Hungry Haitians stormed the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince this week demanding the resignation of President Rene Preval over food prices that have risen about 40 percent since last year. Outnumbered U.N. peacekeepers battled rioters with rubber bullets and tear gas but couldn’t stop the looting and arson in the capital. Rising food costs pose a particular threat to Haiti because widespread hunger persists even in the best of times. Preval has called for tax cuts on imported food to help stem the violence. The World Food Programme has collected only 15 percent of the $96 million in donations it says Haiti needs this year and has issued an emergency appeal for more.

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