Better nutrition brings hope to conflict-affected families

Central African Republic | 2024 | CBPF

Central African Republic, Kabo. For nearly a decade, the people of Kabo, in the northern-central area of CAR have lived in the shadow of armed conflict. The violence has displaced almost 9,000 people, forcing them to flee their homes in search of safety.

Among them is Jeanette, a mother of six, who was uprooted from her village and now resides in Kabo’s Mugumba neighborhood.

“Two years ago, my husband abandoned us. I’ve been raising our six children alone,” Jeanette shared. “I’m a farmer, but with no stable income, life is a constant struggle.”

Her youngest son, only three years old, was recently diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition complicated by severe malaria. Jeanette recalls, “I knew something was wrong when he refused to eat, and his feet began to swell. I’ve heard that malnutrition happens when a diet isn’t balanced, and all we had were cassava, bean, and melon leaves, all cooked with peanut paste and palm oil, along with some cassava, millet, or maize.”

In Kabo, over 13,000 children and pregnant and nursing women are suffering from malnutrition. Thanks to support from the CAR Humanitarian Fund, African Relief Service (ARS), a national non-governmental organization, has provided some 800 children with emergency nutrition, and critical care for those with severe malnutrition. Jeanette’s son was one of them.

“Here in Kabo, they give my son the medicine he needs, and milk every day,” Jeanette says, her relief evident. “The advice and care we’ve received at the hospital have helped my son recover step by step. I’m so grateful to see him getting stronger.”

ARS’ nutrition programme in Kabo, is a lifeline for many displaced families. An organization with deep community roots, ARS hopes to expand community engagement, and with continued funding, reach more children suffering from malnutrition and improve their health.

For more information on the CAR Humanitarian Fund and for real-time contribution and allocation data go to the Pooled Funds Data Hub.