About 9 million people in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria and Lebanon will need additional aid this winter, the UN Agency for Refugees warned ( U n NHCR), launching an appeal for the collection of $50 million to help families in need to cope with cold temperatures during winter.
Dimri is fast approaching and we expect 9 million people in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria and Lebanon to need additional support, UNHCR External Relations Director Dominicque Hyde said.
She said the campaign requires contributions from individuals and the private sector to provide heating equipment, blankets, warm clothing, fuel aid, and damaged housing repair materials.
Hyde added that rising oil, transport and food prices are putting additional pressure on displaced populations.
Everybody’s feeling this. The cost of living is increasing, she said, stressing that the impact is particularly serious for refugees.
In Ukraine, escalation of fears and rocket attacks has damaged civil infrastructure and led to daily power cuts, while around 10.8 million people will need humanitarian aid this year.
Hyde said a $135 donation could provide a winter package, which includes a heater and materials for the isolation and repair of damaged windows.
In Afghanistan, where some 6.5 million returns have been registered since September 2023, a $35 – dollar contribution may provide a traditional heating device for a family.
In addition, some 1.7 million refugees and nearly 1.9 million internally displaced persons have returned to Syria since December 2024.
Hyde said about 2.4 million people in Syria’s priority areas are expected to need winter aid this year, but the agency predicts it will reach much smaller numbers.
Our current capacity to provide assistance is limited to the moment when this assistance is most necessary, she stressed. / AA/