Could you survive below zero?
After eight years of conflict, Syrian refugee families are enduring another winter far from home.
Join the campaign to send emergency relief that will help them survive.
Last year alone, more than half a million Syrians were forced to flee their homes to escape terrifying conflict.
They are especially vulnerable as temperatures plummet below zero and winter storms wreak havoc in camps and settlements.
© UNHCR/Andrew McConnell
© UNHCR/Andrew McConnell
Last year alone, more than half a million Syrians were forced to flee their homes to escape terrifying conflict.
They are especially vulnerable as temperatures plummet below zero and winter storms wreak havoc in camps and settlements.
In a tent or improvised shelter, as little as 2 mm of canvas or plastic sheeting can separate families from sub-zero temperatures outside.
Many are forced to shelter in abandoned or unfinished buildings, with little to keep out the cold and wind.
Children are particularly vulnerable as they struggle to keep warm.
© UNHCR/Haidar Darwish
© UNHCR/Haidar Darwish
In a tent or improvised shelter, as little as 2 mm of canvas or plastic sheeting can separate families from sub-zero temperatures outside.
Many are forced to shelter in abandoned or unfinished buildings, with little to keep out the cold and wind.
Children are particularly vulnerable as they struggle to keep warm.
Children like five-year-old Yaucot, who fled Syria with her parents and reached the safety of Azraq refugee camp, Jordan.
As a new arrival at the camp, she queued up with her father at the distribution centre to receive winter survival basics like blankets, a stove and thermal insulation for their shelter.
© UNHCR/David Azia
© UNHCR/David Azia
Children like five-year-old Yaucot, who fled Syria with her parents and reached the safety of Azraq refugee camp, Jordan.
As a new arrival at the camp, she queued up with her father at the distribution centre to receive winter survival basics like blankets, a stove and thermal insulation for their shelter.
“Without this support, my children would be dead.”
Since fleeing their family home in Syria, Khitam and her children have lived in an unfinished building near Beirut, Lebanon. It’s damp and there are holes in the walls. They share one toilet with several other families.
With no windows the winter is bitterly cold and the children fall ill frequently.
Emergency winter relief helps mothers like Khitam access medicine for their children.
© UNHCR/Hannah Maule-ffinch
© UNHCR/Hannah Maule-ffinch
“Without this support, my children would be dead.”
Since fleeing their family home in Syria, Khitam and her children have lived in an unfinished building near Beirut, Lebanon. It’s damp and there are holes in the walls. They share one toilet with several other families.
With no windows the winter is bitterly cold and the children fall ill frequently.
Emergency winter relief helps mothers like Khitam access medicine for their children.
In January 2019, winter storms hit refugee settlements in Lebanon.
Icy cold, muddy water flooded into shelters, damaging the precious few clothes and belongings of many families.
Already battling the cold and poverty, families now faced the new threat of hypothermia.
Drying wet shoes, socks and clothing was almost impossible.
© UNHCR/Diego Ibarra Sánchez
© UNHCR/Diego Ibarra Sánchez
In January 2019, winter storms hit refugee settlements in Lebanon.
Icy cold, muddy water flooded into shelters, damaging the precious few clothes and belongings of many families.
Already battling the cold and poverty, families now faced the new threat of hypothermia.
Drying wet shoes, socks and clothing was almost impossible.
UNHCR teams relocated families to dry ground and distributed relief items like blankets and fresh mattresses.
Stoves and fuel helped families to warm themselves up, dry their clothes and cook hot meals.
Emergency shelter materials helped refugees reinforce their homes against further rain and wind.
Winter is descending and temperatures will soon fall below zero. New storms will be inevitable.
Can you help us protect refugee families?
© UNHCR/Diego Ibarra Sánchez
© UNHCR/Diego Ibarra Sánchez
UNHCR teams relocated families to dry ground and distributed relief items like blankets and fresh mattresses.
Stoves and fuel helped families to warm themselves up, dry their clothes and cook hot meals.
Emergency shelter materials helped refugees reinforce their homes against further rain and wind.
Winter is descending and temperatures will soon fall below zero. New storms will be inevitable.
Can you help us protect refugee families?
Please support UNHCR’s Winter Emergency Appeal now to help families survive below zero.
Thermal blankets
to provide warmth and sleep
Warm clothing
like jackets, shoes and gloves
Stoves and fuel
to cook meals, generate heat and dry wet clothing
Emergency payment
to help a family buy medicine
We rely on voluntary contributions to make our work possible.
Thank you for standing with refugees.