Afghanistan, famous for kite flying, is currently one of the worst places in the world to be a child. The country has experienced decades of natural disasters and is torn apart by conflict. Afghanistan is in a fragile state with a shattered health system. There is a huge shortage of trained medical staff. Hospitals have limited equipment and medicine leaving the majority of people in Afghanistan extremely vulnerable, and children are dying of easily preventable diseases such as diarrhoea and pneumonia. Jude Bridge, Save the Children, said "A staggering one in four children dies before they reach their fifth birthday in Afghanistan – that is 850 children a day – the worst rate of any country in the world. We want festival goers to support our call to the Prime Minister to rally world leaders to do more to stop children dying of easily preventable diseases. The thousands of kites in the sky will be a visible sign of their support."
Festivals you can go to fly a kite for children:
- Shoreditch Festival, 17 July
- WOMAD, 23 to 25 July, Location: Charity Area
- Camp Bestival, 30 July to 1 August. Location: Kid’s Field
- The Big Chill, 5 to 8 August, Location: The Lakes Field
