What Your Support Made Possible Last Winter

Winter can be difficult for anyone, but for families already facing poverty, displacement or crisis, the cold can become life-threatening.

When temperatures fall, families may struggle to heat their homes, prepare food or keep children and older relatives warm. For those with limited resources, the colder months can bring risks that are difficult to face alone.

Last winter, your support helped The Zahra Trust provide essential winter relief to vulnerable communities.

In 2025, 27,800 people were supported, 123,000 meals were distributed, and 7,905 individuals received winter essentials.

These figures show the scale of the response. But they also represent individual people and families who received support during one of the most difficult times of the year.

Why Winter Aid Matters

Cold weather can turn an already difficult situation into an emergency.

For families living in high-altitude or remote communities, freezing temperatures may arrive early and remain severe. Without adequate heating, warm clothing or enough food, the risks can quickly increase.

In 2025, The Zahra Trust provided winter relief across Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Yemen and other parts of the Middle East.

Support was prioritized for neglected and hard-to-reach communities, including areas such as Parachinar in the Kurram District.

The response focused on helping families stay warm, protect their health and meet basic needs throughout the winter.

Winter Aid in Numbers

27,800 beneficiaries supported

In 2025, 27,800 beneficiaries were supported through the Winter Aid response.

For families facing prolonged hardship, this support helped reduce some of the risks that come with severe winter conditions.

123,000 meals distributed

Food is essential in every season, but winter can make access to basic necessities even more difficult.

Our 2025 Winter Aid response included the distribution of 123,000 meals, helping vulnerable families meet their food needs during the colder months.

7,905 people received winter essentials

A total of 7,905 individuals received winter essentials.

These practical forms of assistance helped people protect themselves from harsh weather and manage daily life during the winter season.

What Winter Relief Looked Like

Our 2025 response included a range of essential winter support:

• Blankets
• Heating fuel
• Fuel stoves
• Warm clothing
• Essential food assistance

Each of these items can respond to a different challenge.

A blanket provides warmth. Heating fuel helps families keep their homes warm. Fuel stoves can support heating and food preparation. Warm clothing protects people when they need to leave the home.

Together, these forms of aid can help families get through winter with greater safety and dignity.

Reaching Communities in Need

The Zahra Trust prioritized support for neglected and hard-to-reach communities during our 2025 Winter Aid response.

This included high-altitude areas where temperatures can become particularly severe, as well as vulnerable communities where families have limited resources.

Support was delivered in locations including Parachinar in the Kurram District, alongside other communities across the region.

Reaching these communities is an important part of making humanitarian assistance effective.

Protecting Health and Dignity

Winter relief can help prevent more than discomfort.

The 2025 response focused on protecting children, women, older people and other at-risk households from cold-related illness.

It also helped families meet their basic daily needs throughout the winter.

For someone facing a harsh winter, receiving food, warm clothing or heating support can provide something incredibly important: the knowledge that they are not facing the season alone.

A Qur’anic Reminder

The Qur’an teaches us about the importance of caring for those in need:

“And they feed the food, despite (their) desire for it, to the poor, the orphan, and the captive.” (Qur’an 76:8)

Giving can take many forms. During winter, it can mean helping provide food, warmth and protection to someone who would otherwise struggle without it.

Looking Towards the Next Winter

Seasonal aid continues to save lives year after year.

The Zahra Trust will build on its regional partnerships to expand outreach and deliver winter relief earlier in the season, helping vulnerable families prepare before the coldest months arrive.

With continued support, more families can receive the essentials they need to face winter with greater safety and dignity.

Your support can help make sure vulnerable communities are not left to endure the cold alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is winter aid?

Winter aid is humanitarian assistance provided during the colder months to help vulnerable families stay warm, protected and able to meet their basic needs.

How many people did The Zahra Trust support with winter aid in 2025?

The Zahra Trust supported 27,800 beneficiaries through its 2025 Winter Aid response.

How many meals did The Zahra Trust distribute during Winter Aid 2025?

The 2025 Winter Aid response included 123,000 meals distributed to vulnerable communities.

How many people received winter essentials?

7,905 individuals received winter essentials through the 2025 Winter Aid response.

Where was winter aid provided in 2025?

Winter relief was provided across Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Yemen and other parts of the Middle East, including communities such as Parachinar in the Kurram District.

What items are included in winter aid?

The 2025 response included blankets, heating fuel, fuel stoves, warm clothing and essential food assistance.