9 million people in need of aid to face winter cold in 4 countries

Dominique Hyde, Director of External Relations at the UNHCR, said, "Resources are scarce and costs are rising rapidly, at a time when winter is looming on the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere."

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

The Geneva-based agency stated that winter needs are enormous in all four countries, as millions struggle amid a sharp rise in energy and food prices and a shortage of fuel needed for heating and cooking.

The commission pointed out that in the fifth winter of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, temperatures are expected to drop below -20 degrees Celsius, "at a time when the Russian Federation's attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers are escalating, while power outages exacerbate the suffering of a population exhausted by war."

In Afghanistan, the agency stated that about four million Afghans returned from Pakistan and Iran between January 2025 and July 2026, and many of them had very limited resources to rebuild their lives.

As for Syria, the commission warned that "without providing more funding this winter to cover basic needs—such as shelter, clothing, and heating fuel—the fate of returnees may become even more vulnerable."

In Lebanon, about 300,000 people are expected to need winter aid, but the commission will only be able to reach half of that number due to funding constraints.

According to the commission, the number of people forced to flee around the world reached about 117.8 million by the end of 2025, a figure slightly lower than the record set in 2024, which was 123.2 million people.

Despite these high numbers, the agency has been forced to reduce its workforce due to budget cuts.

The commission sought $8.5 billion to fund its 2026 programs, but as of October 9, it had only $3 billion available.