Through the storm: Sarai’s story

“I’ve always loved the rains,” says the 15-year-old. “But being in that situation made me want to say: ‘Please, let it stop raining at once, I don’t want to be here.'” When Cyclone Yaku hit and torrential downpours fell across Peru, causing floods and landslides, Sarai was terrified.

Across Peru, more than 517,000 people needed humanitarian assistance after Cyclone Yaku in 2023, their lives upended by the relentless onslaught of rain and flooding. The Piura region, where Sarai resides, has suffered the brunt of the destruction, with more than 85,000 homes left severely damaged or uninhabitable.  

With support from the Government of Canada through the Humanitarian Coalition, Plan International has been providing emergency supplies, hygiene kits, and educational items to children in the region.

The cyclone destroyed at least 440 classrooms and damaged 1,200 more, leaving children out of school or, like Sarai, contending with virtual learning. Learning online was stressful for Sarai, as she was easily distracted, and her academic performance deteriorated. 

Sarai was also worried — would the rains return? 

She ultimately found support through Plan International’s efforts to provide psychosocial support in child-friendly spaces after Cyclone Yaku. After the first youth meeting organized by Plan International, she realized that she was not alone–many young people had experienced the fear and anxiety of rising waters, flooding, and landslides. With dreams of becoming a surgeon or a lawyer, Sarai is back on the path toward a more resilient future, embodying the determination of young people navigating the realities of climate change with courage and grit.