Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund supports families facing a harsh winter

Written by Joshua Mmali based on Humanitarian Update, December 2025.

In Surkhrod district of Afghanistan’s Nangarhar Province, Fruzan, a mother of ten and the sole provider for her children, has endured a life of hardships.

The shelter in which they lived was in very poor condition, with no doors or windows. In summer, the heat was unbearable, and in winter, cold winds and rain entered through the open gaps, creating freezing conditions for herself and her family. 

“Every night I was worried not just about the cold, but about the safety of my children,” she said.

The home also offered no protection from snakes, insects or intruders, leaving Fruzan and her children exposed to multiple risks. “We had no door to lock. Strangers, animals and rain could enter anytime,” she recounted.

In a context where women have extremely limited access to livelihood opportunities, Fruzan struggled to meet the day-to-day needs of her family. 

As winter approached, she worried about serious health consequences for her children, some of whom were already unwell due to the poor living conditions. 

Fund steps in

With funding support from the OCHA-managed Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF), international non-governmental organization Danish Refugee Council helped upgrade Fruzan’s shelter to improve safety, insulation and dignity, including the installation of doors and windows. 

For the first time in years, the family could sleep in a secure and protected space. 

“Now, with this shelter repaired, I feel safe. My children are warm and I can finally sleep without fear," Fruzan shared.

Across eastern Afghanistan, the AHF has been supporting winter assistance, prioritizing households facing the highest risks. These include women-headed households, displaced families, returnees, and households with persons with disabilities. 

Protection, risk sensitivity, community consultation and inclusion were central to ensuring assistance reached those most in need. 

Needs timely support

Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most complex and protracted humanitarian crises, where years of conflict, a deepening economic crisis, political instability and increasingly severe climate shocks have left millions in need of life-saving assistance. 

These overlapping challenges have left many households acutely vulnerable and unprepared for winter. 

Timely and flexible humanitarian financing has been critical to supporting life-saving response in the country, underscoring the importance of sustained donor support to the AHF in protecting families at risk and strengthening their resilience throughout 2026 and beyond.

More information on the: Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund.