Winter Appeal

Temperatures are falling across the world, leaving millions of families in a battle to survive the winter months.

As the temperatures plummet this winter, hundreds of thousands of families face a daily battle to stay alive without the heating, food, and clothing they desperately need.

Winter generally brings higher expenses, such as heating bills and warm clothes, but for families who already struggle throughout the year, they can’t afford the higher bills. They risk illnesses, and potentially, death.

Refugees, who have no option but to live in make-shift shelters, exposed to the elements, are left to worry if their children will die from freezing or starving to death.

We are working in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom to distribute winter essentials to help them through these bitter months.

Helping Those Most in Need This Winter

The people most at risk include refugees, the homeless, the elderly, and vulnerable families who can’t afford winter essentials or don’t have safe homes to protect them from the elements. We are working to help families living in deprived, hard-to-reach communities and provide them with items such as warm clothes, blankets, heaters, and mental health support.

Last year, your donations helped families in Lebanon. One recipient sent us this message:

“The reason why I’m writing this note is to show how thankful I am for the generosity of people who helped me. Those who contributed in heating our small humble home that felt so cold all throughout the winters. This is a favour that neither my family nor I will ever forget, I don’t know how to repay you. I really appreciate your presence in my life. My guardian angel, I wish you the best of the best in your life”

Where We’re Working

AFGHANISTAN

In Afghanistan, temperatures in the winter often drop to -12°. The severe cold weather lasts a few months in the year, causing families who are already struggling to suffer even more. The United Nations has previously estimated that at least nine million Afghans are in need of humanitarian aid.

In January 2020, the severe cold snap and record-breaking snowfall caused numerous deaths, particularly in Herat, where we will be focusing our winter distribution. Our local partners will be distributing blankets and bags of coal, so people can heat their homes and cook food.

IRAQ

Our partners in Iraq are distributing heaters to the families of students and staff members at the Dar al Zahra school, as well as families in need in the neighbouring area, to help them battle their cold winter season. These heaters will go a long way to helping them continue their lives as best they can, despite the cold outside temperatures.

YEMEN

In Yemen, much of the year is hot and dry, so the transition to the harsh winters is extreme and dangerous for the people who don’t have adequate clothing or items to keep them warm. The temperatures often reach below freezing, with heavy rains and floods, leading to structural damage. Many people already don’t have secure homes and are living in tents or makeshift shelters, with no real walls to protect them from the harsh winter weather.

Our partners in Yemen, who use your donations to provide much-needed support to the Yemeni people throughout the year, are going to be distributing blankets throughout the winter months to help families stay warm.

LEBANON

Following the explosion in Beirut earlier this year, many families have been left without homes or with significant damage to their properties. As winter weather approaches, people need help. In Southern Lebanon, in the snowy mountainous regions, people are preparing for the sub-zero temperatures.

Our partners in Lebanon will be providing support to some of the millions of people in need. Your donations will provide people with warm clothes, blankets, and heaters to provide some extra warmth in the cold weather.

BANGLADESH

Our partners in Bangladesh are assisting families living in poverty in the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh, where the winter hits the hardest and lasts the longest than anywhere else in the country, starting in November and ending in February. According to the weather predictions, this winter is set to be worse than last year. The locals in the area mostly rely on agriculture for their income, which is severely disrupted by the cold spell, leaving the already struggling families in a worse situation. Most families live in houses made from bamboo or tin, which doesn’t provide much insulation. Your donations will fund blankets for these families to help them keep warm through the winter months.

INDIA

Our partners have identified families in Kolkata, Metiabruz, Murshidabad, and North 24 Parganas who are in need of our help this winter. In these areas, many families live in houses made from straw and mud, which won’t provide any protection from the cold winter temperatures. We will be distributing warm clothes and blankets to families, to help keep them warm through the winter.

PAKISTAN

We working in Skardu, Gilgit, Astore, Parachinar, Mianwali & D.I.Khan in Pakistan, giving help to those living in poorly made settlements. With no defense against the cold, winter weather, the reality is that these vulnerable people could die as they can be trapped from the poor infrastructure caused by adverse weather. To help them during these harsh winter months, we are providing them with thick quilts, blankets, and shawls. We are also providing warm school uniforms for children so they can still go to school with adequate clothing.

UNITED KINGDOM

In the United Kingdom, the need for mental health support is high. Due to the coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions, the cold weather, and the impact of daylight savings time, people are in need of support. We are working to help a helpline, who provide support to Muslims in the UK who are struggling with their mental health. During the winter months, calls to the helpline increase, and due to the coronavirus and the impact of the restrictions, the helpline is receiving 4 times the number of calls they normally do.

Please donate now, and help save a life in need.