Desperate scramble for food as prices rocket

WHILE signs of daily life return to earthquake-stricken Haiti, the desperate scramble for food has seen prices rocket in recent days.

As bulldozers take away the rubble, food riots are breaking out and the security of aid deliveries is a major concern. The cost of beans, rice and oil among items are inflated because of the demand. Hungry survivors are also attacking food convoys while armed guards try to deter them by firing shots into the air.

While shops are reopening and fruit and vegetable markets have set up their stalls once again in some areas of the capital Port-au-Prince, merchants have been taking advantage of the situation and doubling prices for plates of food. Prices for small plastic bags of water have reportedly quintupled in some areas.