Children in the Central African Republic are among the most deprived in the world.

Half of the country's children lack access to healthcare , and nearly 40% suffer from chronic malnutrition, according to a report by the United Nations' child agency. Very few children have access to clean water, sanitation, or a healthy diet.

Photo: Reuters

Meritxell Relano Arana, UNICEF representative in the Central African Republic, said that with the world 's attention focused on the war in Gaza and other conflicts, the plight of children in this African nation has become "painful and invisible".

"Three million girls and boys in the Central African Republic are facing the highest level of overlapping and interconnected crises and deprivations recorded in the world," she said.

She added that this means the Central African Republic is now ranked as the country at highest risk of falling into a humanitarian crisis.

Violence in the Central African Republic, one of the world's poorest countries, has eased following a peace agreement in February 2019 between the government and 14 armed groups, but the situation remains unstable as many territories remain outside government control.

According to Human Rights Watch, children in the Central African Republic often face recruitment into armed groups, sexual violence, and a lack of educational opportunities.

The areas most severely affected are those with little or no government and humanitarian presence.

A report from the World Health Organization (WHO) also highlighted that diseases such as malaria and cholera are on the rise due to poor living conditions and a weak healthcare system in the Central African Republic.

Cao Phong (according to CNA, BBC)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/unicef-tre-em-cong-hoa-trung-phi-ngheo-kho-nhat-the-gioi-post302181.html