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Temperatures are about to plunge in Afghanistan, Gaza, Ukraine and other places where children are already at great risk due to ongoing crises. UNICEF’s emergency winter response helps the most vulnerable children and families survive the coming cold. But to maximize impact, more donor support is needed. Support children globally Cold can kill For children caught in conflict and crisis, winter is an especially dangerous time. Already facing increased risks to their health, safety and well-being, children displaced by violence or disaster or living in extreme poverty become even more vulnerable in the bitter cold. This is where UNICEF comes in. UNICEF works with governments, local organizations and other partners in some of the world's most challenging settings to provide winter aid where it is needed most. This year's plan focuses on delivering lifesaving winter supplies and cash assistance to children and families in Afghanistan, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Ukraine — aid that not only promises protection against harsh weather, but also brings stability and hope. Learn more about UNICEF humanitarian cash transfers — a lifeline for families in a crisis Winter aid desperately needed in Afghanistan In Afghanistan, it's not uncommon for temperatures to drop to -33 degrees Celsius (-27.4 Fahrenheit) — driving a surge in acute respiratory illnesses among children. As the country braces for another brutal winter — while still recovering from the effects of a major earthquake — UNICEF is preparing to deliver lifesaving winter support to over 700,000 children and their families. Early action is essential; distribution becomes impossible once roads close due to snow. UNICEF's plan is to reach 170,000 vulnerable households with a cash payment of $290 per family to help cover heating and clothing; this allows families to choose what to purchase while supporting the local economy. For families living in remote areas that are cut off from markets and aid, UNICEF will provide warm clothing and blankets. Learn more about how UNICEF supports children in Afghanistan In Gaza, distributing winter kits to every child under 10 As winter approaches in the Gaza Strip, children face freezing temperatures, flooding and further displacement. UNICEF is preparing to distribute winter clothing kits to 600,000 children under age 10; high-thermal blankets for 900,000 children under 18; plastic tarpaulins for 195,000 families to reinforce damaged shelters; family tents for 5,000 extremely vulnerable households; digital cash payments of $140 each to 100,000 families and water and sanitation equipment. UNICEF is fast-tracking procurement of these items while continuing to advocate for supply entry into Gaza. Related: UNICEF Delivers for Families in Gaza Helping vulnerable families brace for another punishing winter in Lebanon UNICEF's winter assistance plan for Lebanon includes a mix of cash assistance, in-kind support and school support. A one-time transfer of $150 will be given to 40,000 households, reaching 200,000 people, including 66,000 children; 100,000 children will receive winter clothing kits, while families staying in inadequate shelters will be provided with thermal blankets and plastic tarpaulins for added protection. More than 500 public schools will receive heating fuel to keep kids learning in a safe, warm environment. Learn more about how UNICEF is supporting children in Lebanon Cash support to be linked to services for recovering families in Syria In Syria, where conflict, displacement and economic collapse have left families struggling to survive, winter brings a new layer of hardship. A program called Cash++ aims to support 17,000 vulnerable families — including close to 48,000 children — with the support they need to stay warm, healthy and safe. An innovative approach, Cash++ combines unconditional cash support with referrals to essential education, health, nutrition and protection services, as well as livelihood opportunities for female-headed households. Learn more about UNICEF programs in Syria Helping households in Ukraine weather a fourth winter amid full-scale war Winter is unforgiving in Ukraine, a country that remains gripped by active conflict for going on four years. Millions of families face freezing temperatures without reliable heat, shelter or support. For the 2025-2026 winter season, UNICEF aims to provide families in frontline areas and other vulnerable households with direct cash transfers — empowering them to buy heating fuel, warm clothing and other essentials on their own terms. UNICEF also plans to help fund necessary repairs to heating services in municipalities hardest hit by energy disruptions due to bombing. UNICEF is also planning to support schools with cash grants to fund heating repairs, alternative power sources and shelter upgrades — ensuring a safe, warm learning environment for 250,000 students. Learn more about UNICEF's ongoing response to war in Ukraine How winter support contributes to long-term resilience UNICEF's winter response is about more than providing warmth and safety during the coldest months. It is also about reducing illness. Keeping kids healthy eases pressure on already overstretched health systems. It keeps them in school, protecting their education — and future. Fuel support for municipal heating systems helps keep critical facilities running, benefiting entire communities. Cash assistance preserves family autonomy and dignity, allowing recipients to prioritize their own needs — and avoid resorting to child marriage, child labor and other negative coping mechanisms. Helping families survive winter helps communities recover, rebuild and prepare for future shocks. Your contribution to UNICEF is more important than ever. Please donate today.
