The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warned that nearly nine million people in Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Ukraine urgently need winter assistance, amid freezing temperatures, inadequate heating and shelter shortages.

The agency launched a $50 million appeal to support vulnerable communities as funding declines and living costs rise.

Its estimates identify 2.4 million people in need in Syria, 280,000 in Lebanon, 4.2 million in Afghanistan and 2.1 million in Ukraine.

UNHCR warned that financial shortages are limiting its response, forcing reductions in staffing and humanitarian operations as winter approaches.