Winter is Here: Why Do Families Need Urgent Aid Now? 

As winter approaches, the cold becomes more than just a seasonal element. 

It becomes life-threatening for so many people.  

Across regions served by The Zahra Trust, families are facing the colder temperatures without shelter, heat, or enough food to make it through the night. 

Imagine a widow, recently displaced, cradling her child as the wind seeps through the thin canvas of a temporary shelter. 

No heating. No warm clothes. No fire for food. Just freezing cold temperatures. 

And your compassion could make all the difference in someone’s life this winter. 

 “They give food, in spite of their love for it, to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [saying], ‘We feed you only for the sake of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.’” (Quran 76:8–9) 

A Child’s Winter Without Warmth 

Last winter, we met Kazim, a young boy living in a makeshift home with his mother in Kabul, Afghanistan. 

They had no electricity. No heating. 

Kazim couldn’t attend school; not because of lack of ambition, but because his home was too cold, and his clothes too thin. 

But thanks to the generosity of donors like you, Kazim received winter clothing, heating equipment, and warm meals.  

Kazim’s story isn’t unique. But it could have ended very differently without urgent support. 

Why Winter Aid Can’t Wait 

In the areas we serve, from conflict zones to refugee camps, families are not only battling poverty, but brutal winters with little protection. 

Children walk to school in worn-out sandals. Families sleep in rooms without insulation or heating. Mothers sacrifice meals to feed their children. 

Winter strips away the little comfort many families have; making hunger, illness, and school dropouts more likely. 

Thanks to You: Last Year’s Impact 

Because of your compassion during last year’s Winter Appeal: 

• 33,774 individuals were supported 

• 15,620 received warm, nourishing food 

• 621 were given winter clothing 

• 73 homes received new heating systems 

These aren’t just numbers. These are real families, protected because you acted before it was too late. 

You were part of a movement of unity, compassion, and care; following in the footsteps of our noble Ahlulbayt (as). 

Why Does This Matter Now? 

Snow has already begun to fall in parts of Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and beyond. 

Fuel prices have risen. Resources are scarce. And families can’t afford to wait for the calendar to catch up. 

Unrestricted donations allow The Zahra Trust to move quickly, delivering essentials like: 

• Food parcels 

• Heating equipment 

• Blankets and warm clothing 

• Safe shelter where needed most 

Every gift, no matter the size, fuels urgent relief and lasting impact. 

This winter, a widow and her child will sleep warmer because of you. A student won’t miss school. A home will be heated. And a family will feel seen and supported. 

 “…whoever gives life to a person (i.e., saves his life), it shall be as if he had given life to humanity altogether…” (Quran 5:32) 

Thanks to you, cold nights can be turned into warmth, hunger into hope, and hardship into faith. 

FAQ