Vital contributions from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway and Sweden helped UNHCR ensure winter assistance to Syrian refugees in Jordan and other countries in the region.
Every winter, rain, and cold weather cause difficulties for the Syrian refugees in Za’atari refugee camp, Jordan. ©UNHCR/Yousef Alhariri
From a tent in Za’atari refugee camp, Jordan, the song of an elderly woman mixes with the sounds of heavy raindrops hitting the ground and the roofs.
The voice belongs to Fandia, a 74-years-old Syrian refugee. She is the sole provider for her orphaned grandchildren and one of the Syrians in Jordan, who were considered particularly vulnerable and therefore received a special winter cash assistance from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, during the cold season.
While the first signs of spring are starting to show and temperatures are increasing, the winter as always has been harsh for refugees in Jordan and other countries in the region. Heavy rain or snow have flooded homes and it is difficult, if not impossible, for many Syrian refugees, to afford gas, warm clothing, and other items to get through the cold season.
“If I had not received the winter cash assistance, I would have been helpless,” says Fandia, adding:
“My concern is to provide warmth for the children and money for the expenses. There are a lot of needs.”
Fandia, a Syrian refugee in Jordan, buys gas to keep herself and her family warm during winter. ©UNHCR/Yousef Alhariri
Za’atari refugee camp is home to around 80,000 Syrian refugees and as the crisis in Syria is entering its 12th year, many have little prospect of returning home in the near future. Syria remains the world’s largest displacement crisis. 6.6 million Syrians have fled the country, while 6.7 million remain displaced within Syria. The vast majority of the refugees outside Syria – 5.6 million – are hosted in nearby countries.
This winter, UNHCR provided assistance to a total of 2.3 million Syrians in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq. The agency also supported refugees of other nationalities and vulnerable members of the host communities.
With additional cash assistance, they can buy what they need to get through the winter, such as gas and food, while also supporting local economies and businesses. Besides cash, UNHCR’s winter assistance also included distribution of mattresses, blankets, and other items for keeping warm to families in need. UNHCR also repaired homes and drainage systems to prepare camps and settlements for the heavy rain and snow expected during the winter season.
Fandia’s main concerns this winter were to keep her grandchildren warm and cover her family’s expenses. With support from UNHCR, she was able to do so. © UNHCR/Yousef Alhariri
UNHCR’s winter assistance is made possible with support from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, who all contributed to the Syria operation in 2021. In addition, the Nordic countries are amongst the top donors to UNHCR and their high level of flexible and unearmarked funding is also contributing to UNHCR’s response in Syria.
“Many Syrian refugees have spent 11 winters in displacement. The significant contributions from countries in the Nordic and Baltic region have helped make a big difference for many vulnerable families. Thanks to the flexible support provided to UNHCR, we were able to distribute essential cash assistance, thermal blankets and winter clothes and prepare the camps and settlements for the harsh winter weather,” says Henrik M. Nordentoft, UNHCR’s Representative to the Nordic and Baltic Countries.
In Jordan’s Za’atari camp, Fandia is grateful.
“I spent 100 Jordanian dinars on the shelter maintenance. We paid our debts. And I bought a gas cylinder and paid for gas refill. We thank those who helped us for their support,” she says.
Denmark as a donor
Denmark is among UNHCR’s top ten donors and provided UNHCR with USD approximately 101.2 million in 2021, of which 34% was unearmarked, allowing UNHCR to respond rapidly to emergencies and underfunded crises.
In 2021, Denmark donated approximately USD 8 million to the Syria situation response, which provides humanitarian aid in Syria and the neighboring countries.
Estonia as a donor
Estonia provided nearly USD 700,000 to UNHCR in 2021, of which approximately USD 100,000 was unearmarked, allowing UNHCR to respond rapidly to emergencies and underfunded crises.
In 2021, Estonia donated USD 91,500 to the Syria situation response, which provides humanitarian aid in Syria and the neighboring countries.
Finland as a donor
Finland provided approximately USD 26.6 million to UNHCR in 2021, of which 31% was unearmarked, allowing UNHCR to respond rapidly to emergencies and underfunded crises.
In 2021, Finland donated USD 5.97 million to the Syria situation response, which provides humanitarian aid in Syria and the neighboring countries.
Norway as a donor
Norway is among UNHCR’s top ten donors and provided USD 107.4 million to the UNHCR in 2021. 74% was unearmarked, making Norway the biggest government donor of unearmarked funding in 2021.
In 2021, Norway donated nearly USD 2 million to the Syria situation response, which provides humanitarian aid in Syria and the neighboring countries.
Sweden as a donor
Sweden is among UNHCR’s top ten donors and the biggest multi-year donor of unearmarked funding. In 2021, Sweden provided UNHCR with USD 122.9 million, of which 61% was unearmarked.
In 2021, Sweden donated USD 7.1 million to the Syria situation response, which provides humanitarian aid in Syria and the neighboring countries.
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