Sir Mo Farah has said it was “absolutely heartbreaking” to witness the devastating impact climate change is having on child malnutrition rates in his birthplace of Somaliland. The Olympic gold medallist met mothers and their children who were receiving treatment at a health centre run by Save the Children on a visit to Gabiley in Somaliland, a self-declared autonomous region of north-western Somalia, with the charity. During the visit Sir Mo heard how recurring droughts and floods caused by climate change had made it difficult for mothers to feed their families.
Sir Mo Farah on a visit to a health centre (Save the Children) Father-of-four Sir Mo said: “It’s absolutely heartbreaking to see children in these conditions through no fault of their own. “I can’t imagine having to leave any of my children behind to find treatment for another one – it’s an impossible choice. “I’m in awe of the strength and determination of these mothers who will do anything for their children in such difficult circumstances.
” Five consecutive failed rainy seasons have left four million people in Somalia facing acute food insecurity and almost two million children at risk of acute malnutrition, Save the Children said. In 2022, 43,000 excess deaths are estimated to have occurred in Somalia because of the drought – half of which are likely to have been children under five, the charity added. Sir Mo Farah meets a malnourished child being helped by Save the Children (Save the Child.
