Nine Million People Need Extra Winter Aid in Four Countries, Including Lebanon and Syria

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) announced that nine million people will need additional assistance to cope with the approaching winter cold in Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon, and Afghanistan.

During the launch of a fundraising appeal, UNHCR expressed its hope to secure at least $50 million to support those in need during the winter season, an amount approximately three million dollars higher than what was raised last year.

Dominique Hyde, Director of External Relations at UNHCR, stated, "Resources are scarce and costs are rising rapidly as winter looms on the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere."

She added, "Millions in these fragile countries suffering from war face the risk of exposure to harsh weather conditions without adequate protection from the cold. We must provide them with protection immediately."

The agency noted that winter needs are enormous in all four countries, where millions struggle amidst sharp increases in energy and food prices and shortages of fuel necessary for heating and cooking.

UNHCR pointed out that amid the fifth winter of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, temperatures are expected to drop below minus 20 degrees Celsius, "at a time when Russian Federation attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers are escalating, while power outages exacerbate the suffering of war-weary populations."