In the Central African Republic, a food crisis threatens the population. "There's no food at home," the 22-year-old mother of a 2-year-old said as she lays her son on scales at a health center in the Central African Republic. 

"I can tell he's not well because he cries all the time and doesn't play anymore," the mother said. 

An ongoing civil war has been wrecking the country further and driving it into poverty, displacing hundreds of thousands. 

While a unilateral ceasefire was announced in October, a humanitarian crisis concerning hunger looms. 

In Paoua, a town that is 500 km from the capital, Bangui, mothers have brought their children to the clinics for examinations, hoping for some pasta sachets provided by the World Food Programme. 

Modeste Loyo Motayo, the leader of the health center, contends that hunger is the most prevailing condition among his patients. "It's linked to poverty and insecurity," he says. "The conflict prevents residents from growing crops and it's difficult to earn an income."

Food scarcity

According to the World Food Programme, 42% of Central Africans are struggling to secure food on a daily basis, which is an estimation bound to increase every year. 

In the vicinities of Ouham-Pende near Paoua, 61% of people are suffering from a severe food crisis, according to the WFP. 

Food insecurity has obstructed supplies in food markets, as only handfuls of stocked stalls made up Paoua's central market.

"Everything is becoming more expensive," says Abas Mahamat, a member of Paoua's transport trade union. "How will the people get by?"