Analysis of the nutritional situation in the Central African Republic

The 2014 SMART survey shows that stunting among children aged 0-5 has exceeded the emergency threshold of 40% in seven (Sangha-Mbaéré, Mambéré-Kadéi, Ouham-Pendé, Kémo, Nana-Mambéré, Ouham, and Ombella-M'poko) of CAR's sixteen prefectures. This is a major problem, as stunted growth is irreversible and can have far-reaching consequences for the country's development. Rates of severe acute malnutrition are high. Seven prefectures (Vakaga, Kémo, Ouaka, Ombella-M'poko, Nana-Gribizi, Ouham-Pendé and Mambéré-Kadéi) have more than 2% of children aged between 6 and 59 months suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Underweight remains high, especially in Sangha-Mbaéré, with a prevalence rate of 32.69% above the WHO critical threshold (30%). The national response to the problem of malnutrition remains dependent on both the difficulties faced by the Central African health system and the place given to nutrition in government policies, despite the efforts made to implement initiatives to improve the nutritional status and living conditions of Central Africans.