The Urgent Need for Winter Support

“We’ve spent many sleepless nights during winter storms, where my family and I would huddle up and wait out the storm” says Noha.

As winter grips Lebanon, the snow-covered landscapes hide a harsh reality. For many, winter means a struggle for survival. Lebanon is facing a humanitarian catastrophe exacerbated by the recent conflict. The country is already home to 1.5 million refugees, adding to the immense strain on resources and infrastructure.

The recent conflict forced thousands from their homes, seeking refuge wherever they could find it. With the announcement of the sixty-day cessation of hostilities, many people returned home. Some were able to stay, but others returned only to find their homes reduced to rubble. Many of these families are staying in collective shelters, facing relentless cold and scarce resources. Simple necessities like warm clothing, blankets, and heating are luxuries many cannot afford.  

For the refugees living in tented homes made of plastic sheets, plywood, and timber in overcrowded settlements, the conditions remain extremely harsh. In addition to enduring a period of airstrikes during the war, where many tented homes were affected due to the proximity to the targeted areas, families now face relentless rain, heavy snow, and high winds, putting these temporary shelters at risk of flooding or collapsing. The harsh weather exacerbates health issues, particularly for the elderly and young children, as illnesses spread quickly in the cramped, cold environments, placing additional strain on already affected populations. This winter, survival itself has become a daily battle.

Noha, a Syrian refugee, lives alone with her five children in a settlement in northern Lebanon, where the winters can be brutally harsh. Her home, constructed from plastic sheets, plywood, timber, and part of an old container which makes up the walls of her home, is their only refuge from the elements.  

Every winter season, their home floods. Noha and her family face the constant risk of parts of their home collapsing due to its fragile structure. She spoke to our team about the cold and damp environment inside her home, and the anxiety of enduring winter storms with her family.  

“As you can see, the container wall structure is the only stable part of our home. While it is sturdy, water still seeps through the many openings of the structure, causing flooding inside. When there is a flood, we spend hours trying to dry the pillows and mattresses, which sometimes can take days depending on if the sun is out. We’ve spent many sleepless nights during winter storms, where my family and I would huddle up and wait out the storm. The loud sounds of thunders and the creaking of the container as rainwater pours down creates a loud, unsettling noise. Another part of our home is made of plywood and plastic sheets, which have weakened and deteriorated over time due to exposure to the harsh changing weather conditions. The timber holding up the structure is also fragile and unstable and can collapse at any time so it’s not safe for us to sleep there.”

‘Whilst enduring long sleepless nights with her family due to the flooding is challenging, Noha explains that it’s the cold and damp environment, which is the even bigger issue, as it rapidly leads to illness. Her youngest already suffers from asthma, and particularly during the winter she’s constantly worried about her children's health living in freezing conditions, make it nearly impossible to keep them warm, safe and healthy.

“Several months before winter arrives, I begin to worry. I know it brings many obstacles, not just because of the condition of our home, but also for our health. We endure many cold nights, and many of us get sick. When one of us is sick, I worry, because I can't afford the medications we need."

Their current living conditions places an enormous strain on Noha and her family. It’s a daily struggle for survival, as they try to stay warm and healthy amidst the harsh winter. Noha’s aim is to keep her children from getting sick as little as possible and ensure they are not in harm’s way.

Funded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Medair’s weatherproofing team distributed new plastic sheets, timber, plywood and tools to help Noha and her family take steps to secure her home for the coming winter and improve their living conditions. By reinforcing the structure, Noha can keep her home from collapsing during harsh weather, keeping her home protected and her children safe.  

‍

‍

‍

‍

Medair's work in Lebanon is possible with funding from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Chaîne du Bonheur (Swiss Solidarity), Swiss Development Cooperation through Interaction-CH, German Federal Foreign Office (or AA) and generous private donors.

This content was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organization.  

‍