Haitian authorities warn of hunger crisis

Haitian authorities are warning that the number of people in the country going hungry could increase significantly to 2008 levels if a fresh crisis strikes.



Officials say some 1.9 million Haitians are undernourished, with rural women among the worst affected.



They say the situation has improved somewhat since 2008, when three million Haitians were without food in the wake of four devastating hurricanes.



The government says food distribution and investment in agriculture have helped.



Authorities fear that new storms, unavailability of food products and other factors could produce a new crisis.