On January 13, 2025, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) initiated a campaign titled "Another Winter Away from Home" to provide immediate assistance to refugees and displaced persons facing severe winter conditions.
The campaign aims to raise urgent funds to support individuals in eight countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Ukraine, and Moldova. Filippo Ungaro, spokesperson for UNHCR Italy, highlighted that over 120 million people are currently fleeing war, violence, and persecution, a number that has nearly doubled in the past decade.
Severe winter conditions, compounded by violence and malnutrition, pose significant risks to survival, particularly for vulnerable populations including women and children. Many refugees lack adequate winter clothing, blankets, and resources for basic necessities such as food and medicine.
UNHCR's response last year included assistance for 43 refugee emergencies across 29 countries, amidst a global conflict landscape that is increasing distrust in international law and cooperation. Ungaro emphasized the need for addressing the root causes of these crises through a culture of peace.
The impact of the ongoing conflicts extends beyond directly affected states; neighboring countries are also experiencing the repercussions. Since the escalation of violence in Lebanon, 557,000 individuals have crossed into Syria, often in vulnerable conditions. Syrian families hosting refugees are themselves struggling with poverty and hunger.
In Afghanistan, the civilian population is enduring severe economic decline and the aftermath of decades of conflict, which also affects neighboring Pakistan. As the conflict in Ukraine surpasses a tragic milestone of a thousand days, millions of refugees seek refuge in Moldova. Ungaro concluded by urging the international community for greater political attention and support for countries hosting refugees.