Winter highlights the geographically complicated nature of the enduring humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. Despite forecasts for a mild winter in some areas, conflict-induced internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and victims of the 26 October earthquake face distinct challenges as near-daily freezing temperatures settle in for much of the country during the core winter wet season, December – February. According to UNHCR, of over 1.1 million IDPs in Afghanistan, one quarter were newly displaced in 2015 and therefore less adapted and more vulnerable than existing IDPs. In the earthquake impacted area of the northeast, weather and security still constrain access to 194 villages in the affected area, resulting in food and non-food item gaps in several districts. IDPs throughout the country are likely to enter Crisis (IPC Stage 3) levels of food security during the lean season. The lean season is forecasted to occur from January through April for most areas.