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The long walk to water, Kenya

One of six films in our new series, Living Climate Change. Watch unheard stories of people living through extreme heat, salinity, drought and flooding, from Bangladesh, Kenya and Nepal.

Pregnant Kenyan mother Esther Elaar walks over two hours a day to get to a water source, then carries a heavy, 20-litre jerrycan all the way home again. Prolonged droughts and changing weather patterns driven by climate change have made everyday life an increasing struggle for people in northern Kenya. Women in the region have noticed an increase in miscarriages and stillbirths which they attribute to the extreme conditions.

Watch the series

  • Mosquitoes in the mountains, Nepal

    Mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases like malaria used to be confined to low-lying areas of Nepal. But in the last three years, there have been over 900 cases of malaria in the mountain regions. Parbati Bhat, who has been a community health volunteer for 38 years, says treating malaria cases has now become a new part of her role.
  • The flood that took everything, Kenya

    The consequences of extreme and unpredictable weather conditions can take a severe toll on mental health, as well as physical health. Pastoralist Lomilio Ewoi Erot lost his livelihood when his herd of hundreds of goats was swept away in a flood; he speaks of his struggles with mental health after becoming unable to provide for his family.
  • Feeling the heat, Bangladesh

    Increasing temperatures, particularly in big cities like Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, have profound effects on human health. Nazma Begum, who lives in a slum in Dhaka, described the impact of working 14 hours a day in an overheated garment factory, while others suffer from skin conditions and heatstroke.
  • When snow becomes rain, Nepal

    Climate change is destabilising food production in many parts of the world. Angyel Jung Bista, an apple farmer in the village of Kabgeni in Nepal, struggles to grow apples as warmer weather, heavy rainfall and floods pollute the water, prevent apples from growing, and contribute to the spread of waterborne diseases.
  • The long walk to water, Kenya

    Pregnant Kenyan mother Esther Elaar walks over two hours a day to get to a water source, then carries a heavy, 20-litre jerrycan all the way home again. Prolonged droughts and changing weather patterns driven by climate change have made everyday life an increasing struggle for people in northern Kenya. Women in the region have noticed an increase in miscarriages and stillbirths which they attribute to the extreme conditions.
  • Salt in the water, Bangladesh

    In coastal regions in Bangladesh, increased levels of salt in fresh water are contributing to reproductive health problems and cardiovascular diseases. Shabjan Begum, who lives in a fishing village on the southern coast reliant on the saline water for food, water and fishing, knows these health risks first-hand, through her own experience and that of her family and neighbours.

Behind the scenes

Read more from our teams about their experiences capturing stories at the frontlines of climate change

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