Each year, more than half a million women across the world die while giving birth, most of them from developing countries. In Haiti, the situation is desperate, as violence, political chaos and insufficient international aid have hampered even the most basic health care.

Up to one million people of Haitian origin currently live in the Dominican Republic, and many are subjected to discrimination and violence, with their Dominican-born children denied citizenship. A Worldfocus contributing blogger describes the escalating human rights concerns.

The cookies -- made of dirt, butter and salt -- hold little nutritional value, but manage to keep Haiti's poor alive. The recipe has been passed down through generations of Haitians.

Haitian Prime Minister Michèle Pierre-Louis took office in September, succeeding a former prime minister who was ousted amid riots. Pierre-Louis discusses how she and the rest of the government can work to overcome Haitians' distrust.

Haiti is a tiny island country in the Caribbean and the poorest in the Western hemisphere. In their struggle to survive, Haitians are destroying the very elements of their environment that sustain them.