This is part of our Meet the Organization series–a collection of deep dives into the initiatives receiving larger, dedicated support from Klarna’s 1% pledge, and what they hope to achieve with it.

Initiative: Hirola Conservation Programme

Main focus: Protect wildlife

UN Sustainable Development Goals: 15 - Life on Land, 13 - Climate Action

Areas of operation: Kenya 

WHY WE GIVE ONE The Hirola Conservation Programme aims to protect and increase the numbers of the hirola antelope and other wildlife, including giraffe species, through participatory conservation, education, community involvement, and international support. There are currently about 250 hirola left in the world. Without intervention, the hirola population is expected to decrease to fewer than 20 antelopes in the next 50 years–and global extinction is predicted to be within the next 100 years. So, now’s the time to act. 

HOW WE GIVE ONE The drought in Kenya has led to poor vegetation conditions, increased distances to water sites, worsening wildlife and livestock conditions, spread of diseases, and increased conflict and tension between humans and wildlife over scarce resources. With the support of Give One, the organization has a chance to mitigate the short-term impact of the situation on wildlife, humans, and their livestock through 1) increasing availability and access to water for wildlife, livestock and locals,  2) providing high quality feeds to wildlife grazers and livestock for 6 months, 3) giving vaccinations to 30.000 livestock, and 4) providing treatment for injured wildlife due to human-wildlife conflicts. 

MEET AN IMPACTER Ali Abdullahi, an award-winning conservationist, is working to protect both hirolas and giraffes from disappearing along the Kenya-Somalia border. “I am an indigenous Kenyan conservationist and I grew up along the Kenyan/Somalia border,” Ali says. “Previous conservation efforts in this area have always been run by people from outside of the region, so the local connection has been missing, and you need to work with the local communities to implement successful conservation projects.”  

Interested in learning more and contributing to the Hirola Conservation Programme and other organizations working with protecting wildlife and biodiversity? Donate through our strategic sustainability partner Milkywire.