As this is our last e-newsletter for 2021, we would like to thank you for your support and generosity this year and we wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday season. Together, we have achieved a great deal to help millions of people in need. 

Your generosity has helped us to bolster our Winter Survival Fund, which means UNHCR can provide thousands of families in the Middle East and Afghanistan with essential items including shelter insulation kits, heaters and warm blankets. UNHCR and its partners have also been working to fix tens of thousands of sub-standard homes in Lebanon to help refugees and displaced people withstand the coldest months of the year. The scheme involves fixing walls and roofs and repairing plumbing and electrical systems. 

Snow has begun falling on Kabul over the past few days and temperatures across Afghanistan are expected to drop further in the coming weeks. UNHCR has been able to proceed with its humanitarian and protection activities in nearly all provinces of Afghanistan. This month alone UNHCR is planning to deliver 50,000 thermal blankets and thousands of solar lamps. The humanitarian situation in the country remains very serious. Almost 23 million people, over half the country’s population, face extreme levels of hunger. 

In much more positive news, Australia for UNHCR Beddie Scholarshipwinner and aspiring filmmaker, Joelle Sanounou has been creating content on our TikTok channel and has helped to secure a partnership with the social media platform.