Children are freezing – give the gift of warmth now.

This winter, icy winds, falling temperatures and snowstorms are threatening the lives of countless children. The situation is especially precarious in Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan. More than 12 years of war have severely weakened the people of Syria. To this must be added the devastating earthquake of February 2023: more than 16.7 million people have been displaced – almost half of them are children. These people lack shelter, food and electricity. Families have to decide whether to spend the little money they have on warm clothing, heating materials or medical supplies crucial to their survival.

The situation in Afghanistan is getting worse every year. Extreme cold fronts also increase the need for humanitarian aid to the country. At night, temperatures fall to as low as -33 °C. This autumn, devastating earthquakes destroyed thousands of homes in the western part of the country. With nothing but the clothes on their backs, the affected children are living in makeshift emergency shelters or holey tents that offer hardly any protection against the cold, snow and rain. Without warmth and food, their chances of survival are shrinking every day. 

UNICEF is determined to help these people and is doing everything in its power to continue its work on behalf of the affected children and women. Cash transfers – for example in Afghanistan and Syria – help families in need to combat the harsh winter conditions. To reach people in remote areas, UNICEF has collected stores of medical supplies, food and hygiene articles essential to survival. To protect families and children from the dangerous cold, UNICEF distributes winter packages containing warm clothing and thermal blankets, and makes it possible for private individuals, healthcare facilities and schools to buy heating materials. It also provides access to primary healthcare and clean drinking water, and ensures child welfare and education.