Last winter was the coldest in over a decade, with temperatures plummeting below –30 degrees Celsius. In the past year, communities have also been hit by earthquakes and flooding, destroying homes and displacing families yet again.
After decades of conflict and economic collapse, the people of Afghanistan are struggling to survive. Millions have been pushed into extreme poverty and hunger, with more than half the population in need of humanitarian assistance.
UNHCR is providing shelter, cash assistance and winter clothing to the most vulnerable families. But more help is urgently needed.
Please donate now to bring shelter, warmth and protection to Afghans in need.
Sharif* lives in Bamyan province, one of the coldest regions of Afghanistan, where he and his family struggle to afford food, warm clothing, and heating.
Families are struggling to survive without sufficient shelter, food or water. Millions of women and girls are unable to exercise their human rights, including to study and work.
UNHCR will stay and deliver for as long as needed in Afghanistan. Caring teams are identifying the most vulnerable people and assisting families by repairing homes, providing cash, and distributing basic supplies such as tents, blankets and solar lamps.
Your donation can help us reach vulnerable families in Afghanistan. With your help, UNHCR can provide shelter, clean water, cash assistance, and relief items including blankets, tarpaulins and hygiene kits.
Your gift can provide Afghans in need with winter essentials like thermal blankets, warm clothing and heaters.
Your gift can provide emergency shelter to protect vulnerable families from a harsh winter.
Your gift can provide cash assistance for Afghan families so they can pay for food, heating, medicine and other winter essentials.
Your gift can provide vulnerable Afghan families with shelter, clean water and emergency cash.
The people of Afghanistan are facing yet another brutal winter. Last winter was the coldest in over a decade with temperatures falling below –30 degrees Celsius.
Communities are still struggling to rebuild their lives after a series of disasters, including deadly floods in July 2024 and earthquakes in October 2023.
Afghanistan has already endured 40 years of conflict and instability, leaving more than half the population in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
Most displacement in Afghanistan has been internal, with natural disaster, conflict and instability forcing people to flee their homes and seek refuge in other parts of the country.
Outside Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan have generously hosted Afghan refugees for many years and granted them access to health and education.
UNHCR appreciates the hospitality neighbouring countries have shown asylum-seekers for over four decades and is calling on all countries to suspend the forced return of Afghan nationals.
You can help Afghan refugees fleeing the country and internally displaced people by making a donation. Your gift can provide vulnerable families with winter essentials such as thermal blankets, stoves and warm clothing to survive the long, dark months ahead.
By road and by air. Throughout the crisis, UNHCR has continued to get humanitarian supplies into the country through the Pakistan border. When needs increased after August 2021, UNHCR opened a new road route in the north from Uzbekistan.
Yes. UNHCR is distributing winter supplies such as heaters, thermal blankets and stoves to Afghan families. Our teams are also providing cash assistance so Afghan families can pay for food, medicine and fuel. These supplies can help people to survive but the competing humanitarian needs means the people of Afghanistan urgently need more help.
UNHCR is committed to staying and delivering in Afghanistan to protect the most vulnerable and provide them with life-saving aid including winter essentials, shelter, and cash to pay for basic needs. Our teams are also providing mental health support and access to livelihood and training programs, empowering people to rebuild their lives.
Afghanistan Situation Portal – for the latest updates on the situation overall, including UNHCR situation reports, funding requirements and UNHCR’s support for neighbouring countries taking in refugees from Afghanistan.
*Names changed for protection reasons
The majority of funds raised by Aotearoa New Zealand for UNHCR are directed to UNHCR’s emergency operations, providing the ready funds and resources to respond quickly and effectively in situations of crisis and disaster.