World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

Since gaining independence in 1960, the Central African Republic (CAR) has experienced unremitting civil strife and political instability. It is a low-income, food-deficit country, ranking 159th of 169 countries in the 2010 human development index. Per capita gross domestic product is US$454. 

Poverty, food insecurity and undernutrition are widespread: 62 percent of the population lives below the poverty line; 30 percent of households are food-insecure; the average global acute malnutrition rate is 10 percent; and chronic malnutrition is 37 percent. Primary school enrolment rates improved from 55 percent in 2003 to 63 percent in 2010, but only 36 percent 

of children finish school. The capacity to design and deliver social services remains extremely limited.