In 2008, 36 percent of the population was food insecure, of which 6 percent were classified as severely food insecure. The country has an “extremely alarming” state of hunger, and the global hunger index is significantly high at 42.7. The food insecure households are particularly concentrated in the East of the country. About 40 percent of children are malnourished, and 11 percent of them are acutely malnourished. Approximately 550, 000 people were internally displaced in 2008 and are currently vulnerable to food insecurity. The food security situation is further exacerbated by conflict.