Winter Appeal
When we think of winter, we imagine cosy homes, hot drinks, and comfortable clothing, but that is a far cry from the harsh reality faced by millions of people every year. The bitter truth is that people, in much of the world, are ill-equipped and unprepared to face the unrelenting cold of the winter season.
A lack of adequate clothing and fuel for heaters is leaving people desperate for warmth. Mothers are forced to make decisions that none of us should ever have to make: to buy food to feed their children or buy fuel to keep them warm enough to survive the extreme winters.
That’s why we’re working in Bangladesh, Lebanon, Pakistan and Yemen to provide winter survival kits, containing a food pack, a winter kit and a COVID-19 health kit.
Lebanon
Over half (57%) of Syrian refugee families are living in overcrowded shelters, increasing health risks, especially in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
In Lebanon, on the backdrop of the port explosion, hyper-inflation and a deepening economic crisis, a once middle-income country is now a place where roughly 45 % of the Lebanese population are estimated to be poor (WHO).
In addition to the problems already present, there has been a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in the country, but with a lack of medical facilities, many Lebanese are not able to get the aid that they need.
With basic resources limited, people are struggling to stay warm, safe and fed, causing further health issues.
Yemen
More than half a million vulnerable Yemenis with acute needs will be affected by the harsh winter, unable to prepare adequately for the season.
In Yemen, many people have been victim to the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, stemming from over five years of conflict. This has led to the destruction of infrastructure, the collapse of the economy and the displacement of millions, giving way to crises including famine, cholera, flash floods and more recently, COVID-19.
A lack of adequate clothing and fuel for heaters is leaving people desperate for warmth. Mothers are forced to make decisions that none of us should ever have to make: to buy food to feed their children or buy fuel to keep them warm enough to survive the extreme winters.
With winter fast approaching, these issues will be further exacerbated, especially with limited food and fuel supplies.
Pakistan – Neelum Valley
The majority of the people, in Neelum Valley, live below the poverty line, which means that they aren’t able to take care of their needs in the freezing cold.
In Pakistan’s Neelum District, which is home to roughly 191,000 people, the majority live under the poverty line and are illiterate, making it hard for them to earn a livable wage. As the area is mainly made up of small valleys, they are vulnerable to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, avalanches and mudslides. The residents have already been affected by dengue, cholera, displacement and major flash floods. These disasters have weakened the infrastructure of the region, with farming and agriculture heavily affected, leading to a significant reduction in food, fuel and clean water.
As winter approaches, the importance of food, clean water and fuel will be even more important.
Bangladesh
22 million people in Bangladesh are still living below the poverty line, meaning they don’t have enough food, water or fuel to stay safe.
In Bangladesh, the country has already been in the midst of a climate change crisis, bringing temperatures down lower than ever before, during winter. Within rural areas, the drop in temperature is even worse, causing many to die from hypothermia.
In addition to these struggles, the threat of COVID-19 is still present, with their health and sanitation infrastructure under great strain. With no effective way to stay healthy and protected, many residents are at a very high risk.
This is why we really need your support in making sure that we can save as many lives as possible this winter.
What may seem small, could be the difference between life or death this winter.
Steel plates
Cooking pot
