As the snow piles up outside, Mohamad, a refugee father, worries about the safety and warmth of his family. “The snow reaches depths of 10, 20, 25 cms… And once it stops snowing, it becomes icy,” he says, pointing out the challenges and difficulties of mobility harsh winters.

During these freezing temperatures and snowstorms, Mohamad and other refugee families struggle to stay warm and protected. “It rains a lot,” Mohamad adds, gesturing to the thin wood of their shelter. “Almost 2.5 mm. This does not protect human beings”. With inadequate shelter and the constant threat of cold air seeping in, their living conditions become even more dangerous.

Throughout the year, Mohamad’s family relies on UNHCR’s monthly cash assistance to make ends meet. “You can see the next room doesn’t have a proper ceiling,” Mohamad explains, pointing to the makeshift structure. “Whenever we open the door, the cold air comes in. It directly enters this room.”

For 13 years, the Syria crisis has endured as the world’s largest displacement crisis, with over 12 million Syrians forced to flee their homes. Inside and outside Syria, life grows increasingly challenging, exacerbated by extreme climate events and rising poverty.

15 million people within Syria require humanitarian aid, while 6.8 million are internally displaced. Meanwhile, 5.2 million Syrian refugees seek safety in neighboring countries, straining resources. Despite its magnitude, the crisis receives dwindling attention and insufficient funding.

Host countries, facing economic strains, require international support to continue providing safety to refugees. UNHCR, through the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan, coordinates efforts to assist Syrian refugees, ensuring access to education, healthcare, livelihoods, and cash assistance. With millions in need and resources stretched thin, international solidarity and support are crucial to alleviate the suffering of Syrians affected by this ongoing crisis.

Every year, Zakat and Sadaqah donations play a crucial role in providing winter assistance to the most vulnerable refugee families, like Mohamad’s, to provide some warmth to their hearts.