Hassan and Mariam are elderly Syrian refugee grandparents in Jordan who are outside the comfort of their homes and are facing unimaginable hardship. 

“We are approaching winter…I don’t know how we’ll be able to survive it” Hassan says. With their family struggling to get by, they rely on a small monthly allowance from UNHCR. Their household receives just 10 Jordanian Dinars per month to cover the cost of cooking, fuel, and heating. It’s barely enough to meet their most basic needs, let alone the added challenges of the coming winter. 

Mariam with worry says “My husband borrowed money to feed our grandchild a sandwich”. The weight of their situation is overwhelming. Hassan admits he has crushing debt he’s taken on just to take care of his family. “In winter, we stay warm with our blankets, and we use the gas tanks for heat,” Hassan shares, a glimpse of the harsh reality they endure. Their home, already fragile, is also prone to flooding. “Our place gets flooded…we use buckets, so the dripping water won’t ruin our blankets,” Mariam says. 

But there is hope. Thanks to the generosity of donors, including Zakat contributions, families like Hassan and Mariam’s received vital support to survive the winter. 

Syria’s war has displaced 6.6 million people internally and more than 5.6 million across the region, making the Middle East the largest producer and host of forcibly displaced populations. In Jordan, 654,000 Syrian refugees are registered with UNHCR, along other nationalities, creating significant pressure on the country. Poverty rates among refugees in Jordan have risen, with Syrian refugees facing high poverty rates at 69%. Most of their income goes toward rent and food, leaving little for other essentials.  

UNHCR during winter, through Zakat contributions, has and continues to support the most vulnerable by providing cash assistance to secure winter essentials helping refugee families survive the cold months. 

Hassan and Mariam’s story is just one example of how your contributions make a difference. In winter, displaced families immensely struggle with limited resources, making the impact of UNHCR’s Zakat critical and every donation has helped families like Hassan and Mariam stay warm, fed, and protected during the coldest months of the year.