Bayat Foundation has distributed winter assistance to dozens of vulnerable families in Kabul as part of its annual humanitarian support program.

According to the foundation, the aid packages—containing flour, rice, cooking oil, and blankets—were distributed to needy families in Police District 8 of the capital. Haji Mohammad Ismail, Deputy Head of the Bayat Foundation, said the winter assistance program is ongoing and will soon expand beyond Kabul to other provinces.

“Our goal is to support families facing serious economic hardship, especially during the cold winter months,” Ismail said. “These efforts will continue in Kabul and across other provinces to reach as many vulnerable households as possible.”

Recipients expressed appreciation for the assistance, describing it as crucial amid the arrival of winter and rising living costs. Beneficiaries also urged other charitable organizations to increase their support for impoverished families during the harsh winter season.

Bayat Foundation, known for its long-standing humanitarian activities across Afghanistan, reaffirmed its commitment to continuing winter aid distributions nationwide to help ease the burden on vulnerable communities.

Pakistani media on Wednesday reported that nine containers carrying United Nations humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan have been dispatched from the Jamrud terminal in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa toward the Torkham border crossing.

According to the reports, the shipment includes food supplies donated by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to support Afghan civilians. Officials said that in a second phase, UNICEF is expected to send additional humanitarian assistance, including medicines and healthcare equipment, to Afghanistan.

Pakistani authorities stated that the clearance and customs process will begin once formal authorization is received from Afghan officials. They added that customs staff at the Torkham crossing are fully prepared to facilitate the transit of the UN consignments following final approval.

So far, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has not commented on the reported aid shipment.

The development comes as trade routes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, including the key Torkham crossing, have remained closed since October 11 amid heightened tensions between the two countries.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned that Afghanistan is facing more frequent and severe natural disasters each year, driven by the growing impacts of climate change.

In a report released on Tuesday, IOM said climate change has significantly intensified the scale and severity of natural hazards across the country, increasing humanitarian needs among vulnerable communities.

According to the report, IOM provided emergency humanitarian assistance to 27,679 disaster-affected families across Afghanistan in 2025. Among them, 6,901 vulnerable families received winter assistance, including heating equipment, clothing, and other essential seasonal items.

The report also noted that 15,030 families benefited from emergency support such as non-food items, cash assistance, and family tents. In addition, 2,147 families received shelter support, while 3,601 families gained access to clean water and healthcare services.

IOM said the figures highlight the scale of growing humanitarian needs in Afghanistan, particularly as natural disasters become more frequent and intense due to climate change.

The organization called for sustained and strengthened support to help vulnerable communities cope with recurring emergencies and to enhance resilience against future climate-related disasters.