The UN High Commissioner for Refugees announced on Friday that approximately 9 million people in Syria, Lebanon, Ukraine, and Afghanistan need additional assistance to face the conditions of the upcoming winter, amid declining funding and rising living and energy costs.
Agence France-Presse quoted the High Commissioner in a statement marking the launch of a fundraising appeal, saying: "It is seeking to secure at least $50 million to provide winter aid to those in need in the four countries, an increase of about $3 million over the amount collected last year."
Situation in Syria and Lebanon
The High Commissioner pointed to the return of millions of refugees to Syria following the fall of the ousted regime, warning that a lack of funding to provide shelter, clothing, and heating fuel could worsen the humanitarian situation for returnees as winter approaches. As for Lebanon, the High Commissioner predicted that about 300,000 people would need winter aid, noting that due to limited funding, it would only be able to reach half of this number.
Challenges in Ukraine and Afghanistan
In Ukraine, the High Commissioner noted that the country is preparing for the fifth winter since the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, with temperatures expected to drop below minus 20 degrees Celsius. It highlighted that the escalation of attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers, along with power outages, is increasing the suffering of the population. As for Afghanistan, the High Commissioner clarified that about 4 million Afghans returned from Pakistan and Iran between January 2025 and July 2026, while many face livelihood difficulties and a shortage of resources needed to rebuild their lives.
Scarcity of Resources and Budgets
In this context, Dominique Hayd, Director of External Relations at the High Commissioner, said: "Available resources are scarce and costs are rising rapidly as winter approaches in the Northern Hemisphere," warning that millions of people in conflict-affected countries face the risk of exposure to extreme cold without adequate protection. Hayd added that providing the necessary aid and protection for these people has "become urgent," especially in light of rising energy and food prices and a shortage of fuel used for heating and cooking, which makes it more difficult to secure basic needs during the winter.
According to UNHCR data, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide reached approximately 117.8 million by the end of 2025, compared to 123.2 million in 2024, while the organization was forced to reduce its staff due to budget cuts. The High Commissioner had requested $8.5 billion to fund its programs during 2026, but the funding it received did not exceed $3 billion as of October 9 last year.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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