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• On April 3, 2008, violent protests against the rising cost of food broke out across Haiti. By April 5, at least four people had been killed and 20 injured. Thousands of people took to the streets, blocked roads, burned cars, and looted shops and homes. The price of food in Haiti, where the average citizen lives on less than $2 a day, has increased by more than 50 percent in the last year. United Nations peacekeepers had to fire rubber bullets into the mob to prevent them from penetrating the presidential palace. Many Haitians blame government policy for the price increases. By April 10, 2008, the riots had been subdued, but Haiti's opposition party demanded that Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis step down.

• Fast Facts:

  1. Started on April 3, 2008
  2. At least 4 people killed and 20 injured
  3. The price of food in Haiti has increased 50% in the last year
  4. 80% of Haitians live on less than $2 a day
  5. The opposition party has asked Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis to step down
  6. Protesters claim one was killed by rubber bullets fired by UN peace keepers

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Price of Food | Food Inflation | Haiti | Rice Shortage 2008

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