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Situation
Long, cold, and unpredictable winters cause acute suffering for 2 million people living without adequate shelter in North-West Syria. Increased winterization support is urgently needed to protect displaced persons battling freezing temperatures. A timely winterization response will mitigate protection risks, including for children, older persons, and other vulnerable groups, and reduce negative coping mechanisms.
During winter, heavy snowfall, widespread flooding, leaking tents and muddy roads make dire living conditions in self-settled and overcrowded camps even worse. Deteriorating economic conditions and increasing prices make it harder for families to meet their winter needs this year.
For many families, this is the twelfth winter in displacement. Lack of winter support will force people to resort to harmful coping mechanisms such as spending less on food and medicine as well as burning clothes or plastic materials that cause toxic fumes and fire hazards. Cold temperatures increase the risk of contracting respiratory and waterborne illnesses. These conditions also have serious consequences for the mental health of affected communities.
Sufficient funding will help to keep those displaced warm through the provision of fuel, cash assistance as well as insulating items such as winter clothing, high thermal blankets and carpets during the coldest months.