Winter Warmth

Winter in the Balkans is unforgiving. Temperatures drop fast, and the cold becomes harsh, making warm clothes and basic supplies a lifeline.

In Subotica, on the Serbian border, countless people are forced to sleep outside the camp, exposed to the cold weather without proper shelter or protection. They face this harsh reality simply because they are unable to register in the official camps.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, people are staying temporarily in one of two transit centres on the outskirts of Sarajevo. Transit centres are packed with displaced individuals, but many of these centres lack adequate heating. Despite having a roof over their heads, the bitter winter air still seeps in. As these people continue their northward journey, they will face even harsher weather, without warm clothes to shield them from the cold.

On the island of Lesvos, the conditions are no better. Temperatures regularly drop below freezing, and the continuous rain and snow create muddy, waterlogged camps along the shorelines. These camps, exposed to the elements, offer little protection from the brutal winter and this is particularly harsh through periods when blankets and warm clothes are not being provided by the state.

The people that are exposed to these conditions are not here out of choice. They are forced out of their homes by violence, conflict and persecution, and take dangerous journeys intensified by harsh weather, state authorities and poor access to necessities.

At Collective Aid, we see this hardship first-hand. With the arrival of winter, the urgency to provide warmth and essential services has never been greater. That is why we are launching our winter appeal fundraiser. Through your generosity, we can keep our projects running and deliver vital support to those on the move during the coldest months of the year. Your support will help people be warmer, safer, and more protected as they endure these incredibly difficult conditions.

The proceeds from this fundraising campaign will go towards the delivery of vital clothing and bedding across our operations. Each donation will be used to ensure we have a continued supply of stock and the means to deliver it. Collective Aid ensures precise, flexible and quick delivery of services through a range of distribution systems, which means your donation and support will let Collective Aid deliver services where the need is greatest.