Recession Worsens Malnutrition in Central African Republic

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Published: September 28, 2009

 Recession Worsens Malnutrition in Central African Republic

A collapse in demand for diamonds has sparked an alarming rise in cases of urban malnutrition in Central African Republic, Médecins Sans Frontières has said. The international medical relief group has treated more than 1,300 children for severe malnutrition since opening four feeding centres in cities in the southwest of the country last month. The global slump in demand for diamonds caused by the recession forced diamond mines in the region to close, leaving many workers unemployed and unable to buy food or pay for medical treatment. A lack of medical infrastructure and personnel together with high poverty levels has exacerbated the situation. The group said the country has only 1,800 health workers out of a population of 4.4 million. Two thirds of the population live below the United Nations poverty line of one US dollar and 25 cents per day.

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