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Malnutrition, diseases main enemies of children in Central African Republic: UN

Xinhua, April 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

The biggest killers of children in the Central African Republic are not bullets but malnutrition, malaria, respiratory infections and diarrhea, a UN spokesman said here Monday, citing information from the UN humanitarian agencies.

"The mortality rate of children under five is now above emergency levels in 11 out of the 16 prefectures across the country and in the capital Bangui, marking a significant increase since pre-crisis levels," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing.

The number of hungry people has also doubled from 2015 with half of them unable to access sufficient food, he noted.

Aid agencies in the Central African Republic are seeking 531 million U.S. dollars this year to help some 1.9 million people meet their basic food, water, shelter and sanitation needs, he added.

Seleka military groups overthrew the former government of Central African Republic in 2013. Its leader Michel Djotodia became president in March 2013 but resigned in January 2014.

The Central African Republic held a presidential election in mid-February, and former Prime Minister Faustin Archange Touadera won the election. Endit