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November 30, 2020

Donor support helps elderly Syrian refugees survive the cold weather

Winter is particularly difficult for elderly refugees. Uprooted from everything they once knew, many struggle to rebuild their lives and can’t afford the expenses that winter brings. Such is the case of 75-year-old Koneh, whose life drastically changed when the Syrian war arrived at her door. She still remembers the cozy winters that she spent with her husband and children at the house they built to accommodate the close-knit bunch.

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“There’s nothing like the gathering of family. We always used to gather; we did everything together. It was the greatest thing,” she recalls. “In winter, we used to turn on the heaters and sit and watch TV. We had everything we needed…we were happy.”

But winters are very different now. Koneh’s house was destroyed by shelling, her husband passed away and she has not seen her children in years - she doesn’t know where they all are or if they’re even alive. Like many other refugees at Za’atari refugee camp, she now spends her lonely days confined at a battered, old shelter, protecting herself from the coronavirus disease.

Aside from her isolation, winter remains one of Koneh’s biggest worries. Her shelter is in urgent need of repair to withstand the frequent downpours and the cost of weather-proofing her home is far beyond her means. “The windows are ruined and water drips everywhere… from the ceiling to the walls.”

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Like Koneh, there are millions of refugees and internally displaced people across the Middle East who have found winter a recurring threat to their survival. With savings long gone and valuables sold off, thousands of refugees struggle to cover their basic needs during winter and must rely on assistance to survive. This year, COVID-19 is making humanitarian needs more acute than ever as restrictions of movement and quarantines are pushing households deeper into poverty.

“Winter has never been as harsh as it is here,” Koneh confesses. 

The UN Refugee Agency is working around the clock to ensure that refugees like Koneh receive the support they need. Delivering winter kits is a priority to ensure people and shelters are protected against the elements.

For just $128 per kit, you can help us provide critical winter supplies for resilient refugees. Each kit includes blankets, warm winter clothing, mattresses and a protective tarp to provide an entire winter weather support system to displaced families in urgent need.


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