We all have that one person who makes a house feel like a home. For Nida, it was her dad. Before the war tore everything apart, her life was defined by the simple, quiet comforts we often don’t notice until they’re gone—sharing a meal, a warm room, and the safety of a father’s presence.
“Our life was good then,” Nida says, her voice trailing off as she looks around her current reality. “We were with my family, with my father. We lived like anyone else.”
But for Nida, the “anyone else” version of her life vanished. Today, she isn’t just mourning her home; she is mourning the man who was the heart of it.
The Brutal Reality of “Shelter”
In the UK, we talk constantly about the weather. We moan about a bit of rain or a heatwave. But for Nida, the weather is a physical threat.
In the summer, her tent—made of thin plastic and canvas—becomes an oven. There is no breeze, no shade, and no escape from the stifling heat. In the winter, it’s the opposite. The rain doesn’t just fall; it seeps through the fabric, turning the floor where she sleeps into cold, damp mud.
There are no doors to lock. No privacy. Just a sheet of fabric between her grief and the rest of the world.
The Exhaustion of Survival
It’s the small things that wear you down. In the video, Nida talks about the sheer effort of just existing. To get water, she has to carry heavy containers. To eat, she has to find food that is increasingly out of reach because, as she puts it, “even money isn’t available.”
Imagine grieving the loss of your father while your main focus is wondering if you’ll have enough water to wash your face or enough fuel to heat a bit of bread. It’s a level of exhaustion that goes deeper than just being worn out. It’s the weight of a life that has been stripped back to nothing.
Why Watan UK is on the Ground
At Watan UK, we don’t believe anyone should be left to grieve in the mud. Our teams are in the camps right now because we know that Nida can’t wait for “someday.” She needs help today.
We aren’t just sending “aid”—we are sending lifelines. Your support allows us to:
- Fix the Water Gap: We’re installing water points so women like Nida don’t have to break their backs carrying heavy jugs.
- Weather-Proof Homes: We provide heavy-duty sheeting and winterization kits to keep the rain out and the warmth in.
- Direct Relief: We provide the food and cash assistance that gives families the dignity to choose what they need most.
You can see how we’re putting donations to work at https://watanuk.org/.
Will You Stand With Nida?
Nida’s father is gone, and her house is rubble. But her story isn’t over yet. She is still there, still fighting, and still hoping for a life that looks a little more like the one she lost.
Your donation—whether it’s the cost of a few coffees or something more—tells Nida she isn’t alone. It’s a way to bring a shred of comfort to a woman who has lost almost everything.
Your Questions Answered (FAQs)
How does Watan UK choose who gets help first?
We focus on the most vulnerable first—this means households led by women, people who have lost their primary breadwinner (like Nida), and families with young children or elderly members who are at high risk from the elements.
Is my donation Zakat-eligible?
Yes. Providing emergency shelter, water, and food to displaced families is a core part of Zakat. You can specify that your gift is Zakat on our checkout page, and we will ensure it is handled with the strictness and care that requires.
How do I know my money is actually helping?
Watan UK is a registered charity, and transparency is everything to us. We provide regular updates from the ground, including photos and videos of our distributions, so you can see exactly how your pounds are being turned into water, food, and shelter.
Can I Gift Aid my donation?
Yes, and please do! If you’re a UK taxpayer, you can add 25% to your donation at no cost to you by checking the Gift Aid box. That extra 25p on every pound goes a long way when we’re buying bulk supplies like waterproof sheeting and hygiene kits.