Since fighting intensified in the Central African Republic (CAR) last December, hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes and are still living in fear. The vacuum created by the overthrow of Francois Bozize's regime in March has plunged the country into an even deeper humanitarian crisis, evident today in the rising levels of malnutrition and rocketing malaria rates.
The United Nations estimates that over 225,000 people remain displaced within the country's borders, while more than 62,000 have sought refuge in neighbouring countries. As unrest and violence continue, children are suffering dramatic consequences. Save the Children recently launched its emergency response in the CAR, and its teams are working in some of the areas worst affected by the crisis, striving to improve the protection of children, and providing vital health care and nutritional support to vulnerable communities. These are some of these children and families' stories. Names have been changed to protect identities.
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