Deprived residents of Haiti are forced to consume mud biscuits called ‘terre’ and its the only option left for them for their survival and all this is happening due to the mounting of food prices in the Caribbean regions.

The mud biscuits are prepared from dried yellowish mud and other ingredients which are required for making this Haitian dish are water, salt and vegetable cuttings, all these things are just mixed together and than its given round shape and later on dried in sun. Terre is generally consumed by pregnant ladies and kids as an antacid and it is considered to be a big source of calcium by the people of that region.

Actually poor residents of the country don’t have enough money to buy even a single rice plate for themselves, guys can you imagine this thing, its bitter but a fact, now ‘terre’ is mostly consumed by them as the present conditions compel them to accept it as their main food.

The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) has shown their deep concern on this issue of price rise in the Caribbean islands, they have announced a state of emergency in the country and also in few other nations of that particular region.

They had estimated so far that – the food rates are increasing rapidly by about 40% and the reason behind such elevation is floods and total crop smash up by hurricane season.

Usually these days Haitians can get 2 cup of rice by paying 60 US cents and its price got raised by 10% since last month (December) and by about 50% in comparison to the year 2007.

Well, its just not rice alone but prices of other things like beans, fruits and condensed milk are equally rising in same manner. The rates of the clay which is the main ingredient for making mud biscuits has increased to a large extent however they are still considered to be cheap in comparison to other things.

It is being reported that these muddy biscuits are said to be soft but it actually drains the wetness of mouth when it comes in contact of the tongue, yuck it’s too bad in taste and the most horrible thing about this is — its taste remains there for long time.

Gerald Callahan, who is immunology professor, has done a deep study in geophagy, stated that — mud can have harmful parasites or poisonous contents. However, it elevates the resistance power of unborn kids.

Haiti is considered to be the poorest nation of western region. Well nearly by about 67% of the total population is forced to live on just or even less than — $2.25 per day.

Mostly people suffer from malnutrition and its now spreading fast due to such eatables, diarrhea is also there and it is assumed that it takes the life of 1 out of 5 kids below the age of 5.
Doctors stated that those poor Haitians, who used to consume these mud biscuits for their survival, are at greater risk of having malnutrition.

Dr Gabriel Thimothee, who is executive director of health department in Haiti, mentioned in a prepared statement that —

Trust me, if I see someone eating those cookies, I will discourage it.

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