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.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says protection needs across Afghanistan remain at critical levels, with vulnerable populations continuing to face serious shortages of essential services and support.

In a report released on Tuesday, IOM warned that women, children, youth, and other marginalized groups are exposed to significant security and social risks, highlighting the urgent need for sustained protection assistance nationwide.

According to the report, IOM provided protection services to more than 132,000 people across Afghanistan in 2025. A total of 132,775 individuals accessed protection support, while an additional 64,877 people received emergency cash and in-kind assistance.

The report also noted that 73,179 individuals benefited from specialized protection services at border crossings and return areas. In addition, 8,101 women and girls gained access to dedicated services tailored to their specific protection needs.

IOM emphasized that ongoing economic and social challenges continue to drive high levels of protection needs across the country, stressing that delivering specialized support to vulnerable communities remains a top priority.

The warning comes as IOM previously reported that it helped preserve 9,599 jobs in Afghanistan in 2025 and created new employment opportunities for thousands of people, as part of broader efforts to strengthen resilience and support livelihoods amid the country’s prolonged humanitarian crisis.

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.