Haitians Rely Upon Mud Cookies to Survive

For many Hatians the mud upon which they walk is the only thing preventing tstarvation. The 2007 hurricane season dealt a crushing blow to the region. Many Haitians are homeless, unemployed; many crops were wiped out, so access to food is severely limited in some areas. The poorest Haitians are unable to afford even a daily bowl of rice because of soaring food prices. One AP article reports food prices have gone up 50% over last year, effectively placing even a staple like rice out of financial reach for many.

As a last resort to stave off starvation, Haitians have taken to eating "cookies" about the size of silver dollar pancakes made from dirt, salt and vegetable shortening. While this mud has been prized by pregnant women and children in Haiti for it's antacid properties and as a source of calcium, it is a far cry from complete nutrition needed to thrive.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N. is becoming more and more concerned about food prices, which are up 40% in some Caribbean islands. The food shortage and exhorbitant prices of what little is available have caused the agency to declare a state of emergency in Haiti and several other countries in the region,

At the market in one Haitian slum, two cups of rice sell for 60 cents--a 10 cent increase since December alone. Other staples like beans, fruit and condensed milk have also risen at a similar rate. Even the cost of the edible clay has gone up by almost $1.50 in the past month.

The mud cookies are a bargain though, compared to the high cost of food staples. It costs about $5 to make 100 cookies. Jonathan M. Katz - Associated Press reports, "A reporter sampling a cookie found that it had a smooth consistency and sucked all the moisture out of the mouth as soon as it touched the tongue. For hours, an unpleasantg taste of dirt lingered."

Dr. Gabriel Thimothee, executive director of Hati's health ministry discourages those he sees eating the mud cookies. His concern is that relying upon the cookies for sustenance puts one at risk for malnutrition.

Some Haltians rely upon income from selling the mud cookies to provide for their families.

The dried yellow dirt, once prized for it's medicinal qualities, has become the very life line for many starving Haitians.