HDF’s Winter Warmth Campaign 2024
As winter settles in, its biting winds and harsh conditions present a life-threatening new set of challenges for millions of vulnerable families worldwide. From refugee camps to impoverished communities, countless individuals face the winter without adequate shelter, clothing, or food. At the Human Development Fund (HDF), we believe that no one should face these hardships alone. Through our Winter Relief Program, we’ve been able to provide essential winter supplies to over 47,400 individuals across 10 countries, helping families stay warm, nourished, and protected during the coldest months.
A Lifeline To Those in Need
HDF’s Winter Relief Program focuses on delivering critical aid tailored to the unique needs of communities in each region. From Lebanon to Yemen, Bangladesh to Turkiye, our efforts have given relief to thousands of families struggling to survive the winter.
Gaza: Resilience Amid Crisis
Gaza remains at the center of suffering as ongoing conflict, overcrowded shelters, and limited resources worsen the harsh winter months. For families living in refugee camps, surviving the cold without adequate shelter, clothing, or food is a daily battle. To bring comfort and relief to 20,000 individuals across Al-Nasr, Sheikh Radwan, Suhbat Khair Camp, and Ayadi Al-Khair Camp, HDF was able to deliver critical winter supplies including:
- Families received blankets to protect them from the freezing nights.
- Heavy winter clothing and footwear for warmth and safety against the bitter cold.
- Daily hot meals to provide nourishment and sustenance to those most in need.
Lebanon: Widespread Hardship and Growing Poverty
With poverty growing at an alarming rate amid a worsening refugee crisis in Lebanon; Families in Beirut, Tripoli, and the Bekaa Valley have been struggling to stay warm and fed. With limited access to basic daily necessities like water, food, and shelter, winter adds another layer of suffering for displaced families. HDF has stepped in to support 2,800 individuals by distributing:
- Food baskets and hot meals to ease hunger and offer immediate relief.
- Heavy and regular blankets to keep families warm against the freezing cold.
- Mattresses to provide dignity and comfort in overcrowded shelters.
Yemen: Surviving Conflict and Winter’s Chill
Years of war have devastated Yemen’s infrastructure, leaving families like the ones in Marib Governorate without adequate shelter or basic winter supplies. For displaced families and their children, the freezing temperatures create life-threatening risks that seem to never end. To help 2,000 individuals survive the winter months, HDF is delivering:
- Winter kits, including blankets, mattresses, rugs, and jackets, to provide warmth.
- Children’s pajamas to make sure young ones stayed protected.
- Food parcels to address severe hunger and provide much-needed sustenance.
Turkiye (Syrian Refugees): Displaced and Facing the Cold
As many Syrians celebrate their freedom from the Assad Regime, they’ve gained a new hope of returning home but with an unstable government and lack of essential resources, there’s no telling when that will be. Syrian refugees in Turkiye face unimaginable hardships that come with leaving their homes with nothing and are now worsened by winter’s freezing conditions in areas where they seek refuge. In Gaziantep, Hatay, and Sanliurfa, families living in camps and temporary housing lack the resources to stay warm and fed. With your support, HDF has been able to provide relief to 5,000 individuals through:
- Blankets, winter clothing, and heaters offer immediate protection from the cold.
- Fuel, firewood, and coal to sustain warmth in their shelters.
- Food parcels to ensure families could meet their daily nutritional needs
Egypt: Economic Struggles and Winter Hardships
In Egypt, taking on the struggles of neighboring countries, rising costs, and economic challenges have left many families in Cairo, Alexandria, and Al-Minya unprepared for winter’s arrival. Many families faced hunger and lacked basic supplies to fight the cold. HDF reached 13,060 individuals, offering essential support through:
- 1,712 food parcels to address growing food insecurity.
- 2,700 blankets to provide warmth and comfort.
- 1,800 mattresses to ease the hardship of sleeping in inadequate conditions.
Bangladesh: Cold and Vulnerable Communities
The winter chill in rural Bangladesh leaves children and families exposed, with little protection against the cold. In Lalmonihat, Dinajpur, and Rangpur families were using scraps to stay warm, HDF were able to focus on reaching the most vulnerable, supporting 1,300 individuals with:
- 800 winter blankets to shield families from the cold.
- 500 children’s jackets to make sure the young ones remained warm and safe.
Somalia: Facing Winter Without Resources
In Somalia, where poverty and drought already weigh heavily on communities, the cold winter brings further challenges. The levels of struggles they face are on the rise with families in Mogadishu, Baidoa, and Hargeisa struggling to stay warm. With your help, HDF was able to extend support to 300 individuals by distributing:
- 200 winter blankets to offer protection from the chill.
- 100 children’s jackets to keep the youngest and most vulnerable safe.
Pakistan: Protecting Families Through Harsh Winters
In Pakistan’s Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions, winter brings freezing temperatures that threaten vulnerable families living in poorly insulated homes and temporary shelters. Without access to proper bedding, clothing, or heating, these families face immense challenges in staying warm and safe during the coldest months. Thanks to your support, HDF has been able to help 1,020 individuals by delivering comprehensive winter kits tailored to their needs:
- Blankets to provide warmth and protection against the freezing temperatures.
- Mattresses and pillows to ensure families could rest more comfortably.
- Plastic rugs to insulate homes and offer a barrier against the cold ground.
A Collective Effort & The Power of Your Support
HDF’s Winter Relief Program extended its support to families in Bangladesh, Somalia, Pakistan, Jordan, and other regions, delivering:
- Winter kits with blankets, mattresses, and clothing.
- Food parcels to combat hunger.
- Shelter tents for displaced families in Sudan.
- Heaters and fuel to provide warmth in refugee camps.
In total, 47,464 individuals across 10 countries have and continue to receive life-saving winter support, showing us the power of compassion and unity. This incredible impact was made possible by the unwavering generosity of our donors, volunteers, and partners. Every blanket, every meal, and every shelter tent distributed represents a life touched, a family supported, and a glimmer of hope restored during the most challenging months of the year.
The challenges of winter are immense, but through collective action, we’re proving that no one has to face them alone. As we reflect on this campaign, let us remain committed to spreading warmth, comfort, and hope to those who need it most. Together, we can stand with families across the globe, do our part in turning compassion into action and hope into reality.
May Allah (SWT) reward your kindness and enable us to serve those in need.
