Sahra's story

Can Sahra's story change the future?

Sahra’s eight, has a cute smile and loves playing with her little sister, Aida. She’s keen to learn and dreams of going to university when she’s older.

Her future should be full of possibility. But the truth is, it’s hanging in the balance. Because right now, Sahra’s growing up on the frontline of the climate crisis.

Four years ago, an intense drought in Puntland in Somalia killed almost all her family’s sheep and goats – their main source of income. They had no choice but to leave their home and move in with relatives. Now, with no rain for more than a year, they’ve been suffering another drought. For Sahra and her family, it means a battle to survive.

“We don't have enough water and food,” she says. “My sisters and my mother are going hungry.”

And with no money for school fees, Sahra’s had to put on hold her dream of an education and its promise of a better future.

How are we helping?

For Sahra, the climate crisis is already here. We’re responding to the danger.

Last year Sahra’s sister, Aida, was dangerously malnourished. Our team treated her and she’s made a good recovery.

We’ve supported Amina with cash assistance for her family. And we’ve delivered water to their drought-hit community. Amina said it’s stopped her children getting sick from having to drink dirty water. “Thank God, it's helped a lot,” she says.

The support we’ve given Sahra and her community shows what’s possible.

But the scale of the climate crisis means much more needs to be done by governments around the world. The good news is there’s an opportunity to build a better and greener world for children, and it’s happening in the UK this November. 

Call for Boris Johnson to act now

As our prime minister prepares to host the global climate summit in Glasgow, call on him to take urgent action and recognise the threat to children today and their futures tomorrow.

Email Boris Johnson – remind him that children are at the heart of the climate crisis. How he leads in Glasgow can have a huge impact on their lives and futures. Let’s give children everywhere reason to believe a better future is possible. 

Learn more about our work supporting children living through the climate crisis