On 4 September, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, destroying hundreds of homes, damaging roads and infrastructure, and leaving families without shelter, clean water, or medical care. More than 2,200 people have died, and many communities are still waiting for the most basic help like food.

This tragedy comes on top of ongoing crises in Afghanistan: prolonged drought, continued impacts of the Taliban takeover, mass returns of families from Iran and Pakistan, and major cuts to humanitarian aid. Children are particularly vulnerable, facing increased risks of malnutrition, disease, and loss of education.

The morning after the earthquake, our Country Director, Tajammul Hussain, spoke with Sky News to highlight the urgent needs. In response, Street Child is creating safe spaces where children can continue learning and find protection. We are also launching mental health and wellbeing trainings for teachers and students in schools across Kunar Province, the hardest-hit region, to help children cope with the challenges they now face.

As children across the UK return to the classroom, millions around the world are missing out. That’s why we launched our Back to School appeal—to help children in some of the world’s most challenging places experience the thrill of their first day at school: the nervous energy, the excitement, and the sense of possibility.

The campaign has received enthusiastic backing from Dame Helen Mirren, former Apprentice advisor and Countdown presenter Nick Hewer, football legend Chris Kamara, TV presenter Ade Adepitan, and fashion designer Foday Dumbuya.

Our ambassador Nick Hewer also joined Street Child CEO & Founder Tom Dannatt on LBC News to speak in support of the appeal.

Conflict, disasters, and poverty will keep 60 million primary school-aged children worldwide from going back to school this Autumn. Street Child is working in some of the world’s lowest-income and most disaster-hit countries to change that.

Take Helene’s* story. She fled conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo with her family, seeking safety in neighbouring Uganda. Life as a refugee was tough, and school was even harder. Helene struggled with confidence and felt unseen in her new classroom. Then she joined a Street Child programme. Through peer learning, debates, and leadership training, she built skills in communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Today, Helene is Head Prefect at her school, supporting other girls and dreaming big of becoming a lawyer.

Helene’s story is just one example of how Street Child helps children in the toughest contexts to be safe, in school, and learning. With your support, we can help even more children return to the classroom this September.

*Name changed for safeguarding

We are also delighted a share an interview Tom, our CEO & Founder, recently gave to Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the UN’s fund for education in emergencies. Part of a high-level series of ECW interviews designed to draw attention to the critical education needs of children caught up in humanitarian crisis, Tom talks about the importance of funding local organisations, why ECW really matters, Street Child’s role representing the global charity sector in ECW’s high-level governance structures - and is also asked to recommend us three books!

This October, the Sierra Leone Marathon comes with a thrilling twist. From 22–27 October 2025, the marathon moves to the beautiful city of Bo in southern Sierra Leone for the very first and only time. This edition offers a completely new setting while still delivering the unforgettable experience runners know and love. Spots are limited, so please contact the team asap to secure your place in this one-off adventure.