Spreading winter warmth

Last winter, Syrian refugees in Jordan were hit by extreme weather, with rain, wind and biting cold. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is on the ground in Azraq camp in the east of the country, helping refugees prepare for the freezing months ahead.

"Jordan is mostly associated with sun and heat, but winter can be bitterly cold, especially for refugees," says Hamza Abu Salim. He is part of NRC’s team in Azraq refugee camp, helping Syrian refugees keep warm during the winter months.

The winter cold can be relentless. Families forced to flee are often unable to bring anything with them but the clothes on their back. When winter sets in, it is vital that children in particular receive help to keep warm.

For the past six years, NRC has distributed clothes, blankets, mattresses, stoves and gas cylinders to refugees arriving at Azraq camp. We also provide money and equipment to the existing camp residents to help them cope with the winter.

Living in metal shelters

Most of the 36,000 Syrian refugees in Azraq live in simple metal shelters. They are hot in summer and freezing in winter. Lutfieh is one of the many residents who have received help. She lives in a shelter with her sister, next door to her son Issam and his wife and eight children.

"My mother is an old woman,” explains Issam. “She needs to stay warm, which means we never turn off the heater. Sometimes we all gather in one shelter to stay warm and save energy.”

"We are still using the items NRC gave us. They are essential," he continues. "Most important was the insulation material, as it helped to contain the warmth inside the shelter."

NRC has been distributing clothing and other essential items in Azraq camp since 2013. Stoves, blankets, mattresses and gas cylinders are just some of the things we provide to newly arrived refugees. Photo: Leen Qashu/NRC

Help where it’s needed most

Work opportunities in the camp are limited, making it difficult to earn an income and buy essential winter supplies. Last year, NRC gave each resident the equivalent of USD 155 in cash, so that they could refill their gas cylinders and buy warm clothes.

Cash payments allow refugees to spend money on the things they need the most. In recent years, our assistance has gradually shifted from being solely in-kind to also include cash.

Fear of winter

"Many refugees worry about winter. They worry about how to find warm clothes for their children and about their health. The assistance we provide helps to ease their anxieties," says Hamza Abu Salim, who is responsible for distributing cash and household items.

Ibrahim, a Syrian refugee and father living in the camp, says the money he received came at a critical time.

Looking after each other

"I had to borrow some money from my neighbour, Hussein, to buy winter clothes for my children,” Ibrahim explains. “I couldn’t wait any longer because they needed winter clothes to go to school. NRC’s cash payment came just in time, and I was able to pay back what I’d borrowed."

Ibrahim’s neighbour Hussein says that they would not have managed without NRC’s cash support.

“We try to help each other as best we can,” he says. “But without the support we would not have managed. It is the most effective way to help us, and has changed our lives here in a positive way.”