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Photos: Malnutrition stalks children in tattered Central African Republic

A cycle of sectarian violence in Central African Republic (CAR) has made it one of the most difficult countries to be a child and the stats describe the horror. Infant mortality in CAR is the highest in the world, according to the UN. One in 24 children dies in the first 28 days of life. The UN's World Food Programme has even warned that CAR faces the worst situation of food insecurity in four years, with nearly two million people in urgent need of food aid.

Updated on: Dec 07, 2018 11:57 AM IST

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1/10

Inside the paediatric complex in Bangui, capital of Central African Republic (CAR), a malnourished girl cries during what has become a daily routine --being weighed on scales in a large blue bucket. One by one, emaciated infants are lifted onto the scales as others wait their turn. Scenes here resemble a war zone. And as conflict tears through the country, civilians are desperately fighting another deadly foe: hunger. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Dec 07, 2018 11:57 AM

Inside the paediatric complex in Bangui, capital of Central African Republic (CAR), a malnourished girl cries during what has become a daily routine --being weighed on scales in a large blue bucket. One by one, emaciated infants are lifted onto the scales as others wait their turn. Scenes here resemble a war zone. And as conflict tears through the country, civilians are desperately fighting another deadly foe: hunger. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

2/10

A mother stands among other parents waiting to see doctors, carrying weak, starving children, many hanging limply in their arms like half empty sacks of rice in a line snaking out the hospital into the dusty courtyard. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Dec 07, 2018 11:57 AM

A mother stands among other parents waiting to see doctors, carrying weak, starving children, many hanging limply in their arms like half empty sacks of rice in a line snaking out the hospital into the dusty courtyard. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

3/10

A malnourished girl sits barefoot, joints protruding, shoulder blades poking out of her skin like blades, a baggy top the only clothing to cling to her perished frame. In a doorway, another young girl stands with the round shape of her belly protruding out above her skinny legs. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Dec 07, 2018 11:57 AM

A malnourished girl sits barefoot, joints protruding, shoulder blades poking out of her skin like blades, a baggy top the only clothing to cling to her perished frame. In a doorway, another young girl stands with the round shape of her belly protruding out above her skinny legs. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

4/10

A mother watches her HIV-positive child under observation in the intensive care unit of the paediatric complex, while in the foreground, an HIV-positive child sleeps. “CAR is one of the most difficult countries to be a child,” Donaig Le Dru, UNICEF spokesperson in CAR, told AFP. The statistics underline the horrors that stalk childhood in the country. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Dec 07, 2018 11:57 AM

A mother watches her HIV-positive child under observation in the intensive care unit of the paediatric complex, while in the foreground, an HIV-positive child sleeps. “CAR is one of the most difficult countries to be a child,” Donaig Le Dru, UNICEF spokesperson in CAR, told AFP. The statistics underline the horrors that stalk childhood in the country. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

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Zita poses with her newborn and other children at PK5, in Boali. Infant mortality in CAR is the highest in the world according to the UN. One in 24 children dies within the first 28 days of life. The number of children with severe or acute malnutrition has risen from around 32,000 to 43,000 between 2014 and the end of 2018. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Dec 07, 2018 11:57 AM

Zita poses with her newborn and other children at PK5, in Boali. Infant mortality in CAR is the highest in the world according to the UN. One in 24 children dies within the first 28 days of life. The number of children with severe or acute malnutrition has risen from around 32,000 to 43,000 between 2014 and the end of 2018. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

6/10

A group of HIV-positive children wait under a tree to receive antiretroviral drugs. Two out of three children -- 1.5 million youngsters in total -- are in need of humanitarian assistance, according to UNICEF. The UN’s World Food Programme warned last month that CAR was facing the worst situation of food insecurity in four years, with nearly two million people in urgent need of food aid. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Dec 07, 2018 11:57 AM

A group of HIV-positive children wait under a tree to receive antiretroviral drugs. Two out of three children -- 1.5 million youngsters in total -- are in need of humanitarian assistance, according to UNICEF. The UN’s World Food Programme warned last month that CAR was facing the worst situation of food insecurity in four years, with nearly two million people in urgent need of food aid. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

7/10

Women set up camp during the convalescence of their children at the paediatric complex. Civil unrest has lacerated this mineral-rich country for years, leaving the economy in tatters and causing misery for those caught in the violence. One of the world’s poorest countries, the CAR spiralled into bloodshed after long-time leader Francois Bozize was overthrown in 2013 by a predominantly Muslim rebel alliance called the Seleka. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Dec 07, 2018 11:57 AM

Women set up camp during the convalescence of their children at the paediatric complex. Civil unrest has lacerated this mineral-rich country for years, leaving the economy in tatters and causing misery for those caught in the violence. One of the world’s poorest countries, the CAR spiralled into bloodshed after long-time leader Francois Bozize was overthrown in 2013 by a predominantly Muslim rebel alliance called the Seleka. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

8/10

A mother waits with her child for the daily weight check. Nominally Christian militias emerged in response and France intervened militarily from 2013 to 2016 to push out the Seleka. Faustin-Archange Touadera was elected president and governs today, supported by a UN peacekeeping operation. But most of the country is controlled by ex-rebels and militias, acting as guardians for religious communities. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Dec 07, 2018 11:57 AM

A mother waits with her child for the daily weight check. Nominally Christian militias emerged in response and France intervened militarily from 2013 to 2016 to push out the Seleka. Faustin-Archange Touadera was elected president and governs today, supported by a UN peacekeeping operation. But most of the country is controlled by ex-rebels and militias, acting as guardians for religious communities. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

9/10

The Bangui hospital is just a few kilometres from the mainly Muslim PK5 district -- an area that has become a flashpoint in the troubled country. But just five paediatricians work here, struggling with limited equipment or support eked out of the creaking health-care system. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Dec 07, 2018 11:57 AM

The Bangui hospital is just a few kilometres from the mainly Muslim PK5 district -- an area that has become a flashpoint in the troubled country. But just five paediatricians work here, struggling with limited equipment or support eked out of the creaking health-care system. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

10/10

In the overcrowded hospital grounds, Theodore hugged his malnutritioned daughter. His wife is in hospital after having a nervous breakdown after the couple’s first child died. He struggles to earn enough money to buy food. In general, children are hospitalised for a little over a week until their weight recovers. But not all survive, with some losing to severe malnutrition or disease. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Dec 07, 2018 11:57 AM

In the overcrowded hospital grounds, Theodore hugged his malnutritioned daughter. His wife is in hospital after having a nervous breakdown after the couple’s first child died. He struggles to earn enough money to buy food. In general, children are hospitalised for a little over a week until their weight recovers. But not all survive, with some losing to severe malnutrition or disease. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

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