The UN today warned of the existence of at least nine million people in four countries affected by the war – Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan – who need additional help to spend the winter.
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29/10/2026
by
Lusa
A Today the UN has warned that there are at least nine million people in four countries affected by the war – Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan – who need additional help to spend the winter.
The situation in these countries, aggravated by the shortage of financing and rising energy prices, has led the UN Refugee Agency to ask for an increase in financial donations.
“To help compensate for the sharp fall in its budget, the UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] intends to raise at least 50 million dollars [44.8 million euros] for support in the winter of 2026-27,” the organisation advanced in the launch of its annual fundraising campaign aimed at private individuals and the private sector.
The figure represents an increase of €2.7 million compared to last year because “resources are scarce and costs are skyrocketing,” said UNHCR Director Dominique Hyde, quoted in a statement.
“ Millions of people in these fragile and war-affected countries are at risk of facing the weather without sufficient protection from the cold. They need more than ever the support of the public ", defended.
According to UNHCR, winter needs are enormous in the four countries concerned, with millions of people dealing with a recent rise in energy and food prices and needing more shelter, heating fuel and cooking and clothing and blankets.
“The money raised will be used to buy, among other things, heaters in Afghanistan, thermal blankets in Syria and Lebanon and kits to repair bombed houses in Ukraine,” UNHCR said.
Referring to the fact that this will be the fifth winter of war in Ukraine, the organization recalled that temperatures in the country fall to -20°C, that Russia has intensified attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers, causing increasing energy cuts, and that there are about 4 million internally displaced people.
“ Last winter, energy facilities were hit at least 423 times,” the UNHCR recalled, pointing out that the objective for this winter includes financial aid to around 310,000 people and improvements in isolation of 80,000 homes.
Afghanistan also faces another difficult winter at a time of large-scale returns, huge humanitarian needs and severe funding constraints, the UNHCR claimed, stating that nearly 4 million people returned from Pakistan and Iran between January 2025 and July last.
According to the agency, there are 4.2 million people in need of shelter, while almost a third of the families assessed reported a lack of suitable clothing for winter.
“ Families are making difficult choices between heating, food and health care. Last winter, many burned cardboard, paper or plastic waste to stay warm because coal and wood were inaccessible,” Dominique Hyde said, adding that children are especially vulnerable.
In the case of Syria, despite the optimism caused by the return to the home of millions of people since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, aid is urgent.
“ No more funding for basics this winter – a roof, clothing, heating oil – the destination of returnees will become increasingly precarious”, said the agency, advancing that there are 2.4 million people in need of help in the country.
Finally, in Lebanon, it is estimated that nearly 300,000 people need assistance in the coldest season, but the UNHCR budget can only reach half.
“ The increase in heating costs is aggravating vulnerabilities: diesel prices have almost doubled since before the March 2026 regional escalation, and families report that aid, which previously covered much of winter, can now only last a few weeks,” lamented the High Commissioner.