By By Francesca Mannina | Fundraising Manager
In 2026, Alice for Children is facing an increasingly serious health emergency in the slums of Nairobi. Among the children we support, we are witnessing a significant rise in the number of cases of Sickle Cell Disease, a dangerous inherited blood disorder that remains largely overlooked despite its devastating consequences.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 7.74 million people worldwide were living with Sickle Cell Disease in 2021, with nearly 80% of cases concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease affects red blood cells, changing their shape and preventing them from circulating normally. This can cause severe pain, chronic anaemia, infections, strokes and potentially fatal complications.
Yet, for many children living in Nairobi's slums, the greatest danger is not only the disease itself, but the lack of access to early diagnosis and appropriate medical treatment.
Families struggling to survive in extreme poverty often cannot afford regular hospital visits, medical examinations or lifelong treatment. As a result, children may live for years without knowing what is causing their suffering.
At Alice for Children, this emergency is becoming increasingly visible. During 2026, more children within our programmes have been identified as affected by Sickle Cell Disease, highlighting the urgent need for continuous healthcare and support.
This is particularly concerning because Sickle Cell Disease is genetic. Children are born with the condition, and without proper awareness and screening, families may remain unaware of the risk until severe complications appear.
Through Alice Care, our healthcare programme, we are committed to supporting vulnerable children who need medical assistance, treatment and long-term care.
But this is not an emergency that can be solved with a single hospital visit. Children living with Sickle Cell Disease need ongoing attention throughout their lives.
We believe that being born into poverty should never mean being denied the chance to survive a treatable complication or enjoy a healthy childhood.
With your support, we can continue standing beside these children and their families, bringing attention and care to a crisis that has remained silent for far too long.
Thank you for helping us protect the most vulnerable children of Nairobi.
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