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.

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.