For some, winter brings images of roaring fires, wrapping up to enjoy frosty days, and getting cozy at home. But for people who have lost their home due to disaster or conflict, the winter brings fear and a struggle to survive the bitterly cold temperatures.
As temperatures drop, ShelterBox focuses our aid on items that help people survive the winter. In this blog learn about our work supporting people facing the cold without shelter.
Pakistan
In Pakistan, nights can be chilly all year. In the winter night time temperatures reach as low as 4°C in much of the country. In the mountains temperatures often go below freezing. For people forced from their homes by the severe flooding in 2022, the coming winter was another challenge to face.
ShelterBox responded to the floods with a project distributing tents and household items. These allowed people to take shelter from the cold, cook warm meals, and source clean water. We are now working on building more durable shelters and latrines. Some families were also helped with cash assistance.
Abdul was one of the many people affected by the flooding. A farmer, Abdul lost both his house and his crops in the floods. He and his family were left with nothing. They were sleeping out in the open with no shelter, with the nights being very chilly. ShelterBox was able to support Abdul with a tent, solar lights and clean water. Abdul said that having a roof over their heads had made the family joyful.
Morocco
One of the worst affected regions in Morocco by the 2023 earthquake was the Atlas Mountains. At these high altitudes temperatures plummet in the winter. For people whose homes were damaged or destroyed, the approaching winter was a great concern.
Samira was one of the many whose house was destroyed in the earthquake. She was very worried about the changing seasons. “The winter here is very cold, If I have something to do outside, then I will go. Like going to the shops, and then I will come home and stay inside and keep warm.”
She added, “Everyone is just outside; we do not have any houses to keep warm in. It is very cold, especially at night. After the earthquake everything has changed, before everyone had homes to keep warm in, now we do not have that.”
We are supporting those affected by the earthquake with sturdy tents, thermal blankets, kitchen sets and solar lights. Of these items Samira said, “The ShelterBox tent will help a lot. For our kitchen, the cooking sets will be very helpful. We need the solar lights because what we have now is not enough, and we need the blankets to keep warm.”
Ukraine
In Ukraine, the bitterly cold winter months bring hardship for those whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by the conflict there. The temperatures routinely drop below freezing in the winter, and snow and ice are common.
Halyna was one of the many people whose home was badly damaged by bombing. She spent twelve months staying with family members before returning home. The windows, doors and radiators were all destroyed. Recalling the months she was forced from her home, Halyna said “No one was allowed to enter the village. Nobody was there. The neighbours sent photos to my children and the children said: ‘Mum, everything is broken there.’”
We supported Halyna with a winter shelter aid package. This included a wood burning stove that gave Halyna some much needed warmth. “Thank you so much! We have no money to fix the boiler, this summer is like salvation. I am very pleased that I received such help. I am happy that I have warmth in my home.”
Winter Aid
The aid that we distribute depends on the location and situation of those we are supporting – each disaster is unique. Some examples of aid we might distribute to those facing cold temperatures include:
- Tents – Our tents can come in different shapes and sizes. This includes padded tents that can safely accommodate a stove. This is ideal for those facing colder temperatures.
- Thermal blankets and mattresses – Thermal blankets and warm bedding can help people stay warm and sleep comfortably when temperatures drop
- Tarpaulins and shelter kits – these can be used to block drafts in damaged buildings and temporary shelters
- Kitchen sets – kitchen sets and utensils allow people to prepare warm meals
- Winter clothing – many displaced people are forced to leave belongings behind, including winter clothing. We distribute thick coats and warm clothing for both children and adults. This helps protect them against the coldest temperatures.
- Stoves and fuel – for shelters and damaged homes without heating, stoves provide some much-needed warmth.
Sadly disasters don’t stop. And the winter brings even greater challenges for people forced from their homes. Donate now to help us be there for those that need us.
