In numbers: Syrian asylum applications in Europe
The European Union has been harshly criticised by some for its perceived hesitancy to receive Syrian refugees
A Syrian refugee child walks along a snow covered path during winter in Aarsal town in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa
A Syrian refugee child walks along a snow covered path during winter in Aarsal town in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa December 13, 2013. A powerful winter storm sweeping the eastern Mediterranean this week is causing mayhem across the region. The storm, named Alexa, is expected to last until Saturday, bringing more snow, rain and freezing temperatures to large swathes of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories. The bad weather, which began on Wednesday, is taking a disproportionate toll on the 2.2 million refugees living outside Syria and the 6.5 million people displaced within the country. REUTERS/Ahmad Shalha (LEBANON - Tags: ENVIRONMENT)
Wintry storm grips Middle East, worsens misery of Syrians
Aid agencies are working around the clock to evacuate refugees from flooded camps
A Syrian refugee child shovels snow outside a tent in Aarsal town in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa
A Syrian refugee child shovels snow outside a tent in Aarsal town in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa December 13, 2013. A powerful winter storm sweeping the eastern Mediterranean this week is causing mayhem across the region. The storm, named Alexa, is expected to last until Saturday, bringing more snow, rain and freezing temperatures to large swathes of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories. The bad weather, which began on Wednesday, is taking a disproportionate toll on the 2.2 million refugees living outside Syria and the 6.5 million people displaced within the country. REUTERS/Ahmad Shalha (LEBANON - Tags: ENVIRONMENT)
Syrian refugee children stand outisde their tent in Aarsal town in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa
Syrian refugee children stand outisde their tent in Aarsal town in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa December 13, 2013. A powerful winter storm sweeping the eastern Mediterranean this week is causing mayhem across the region. The storm, named Alexa, is expected to last until Saturday, bringing more snow, rain and freezing temperatures to large swathes of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories. The bad weather, which began on Wednesday, is taking a disproportionate toll on the 2.2 million refugees living outside Syria and the 6.5 million people displaced within the country. REUTERS/Ahmad Shalha (LEBANON - Tags: ENVIRONMENT)
Children play with snow after a heavy snowstorm in Amman
Children play with snow after a heavy snowstorm in Amman December 13, 2013. A powerful winter storm sweeping the eastern Mediterranean this week is causing mayhem across the region. The storm, named Alexa, is expected to last until Saturday, bringing more snow, rain and freezing temperatures to large swathes of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Majed Jaber (JORDAN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY)
A boy plays with snow after a heavy snowstorm in Amman
A boy plays with snow after a heavy snowstorm in Amman December 13, 2013. A powerful winter storm sweeping the eastern Mediterranean this week is causing mayhem across the region. The storm, named Alexa, is expected to last until Saturday, bringing more snow, rain and freezing temperatures to large swathes of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Majed Jaber (JORDAN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY)
People play with snow after a heavy snowstorm in Amman
People play with snow after a heavy snowstorm in Amman December 13, 2013. A powerful winter storm sweeping the eastern Mediterranean this week is causing mayhem across the region. The storm, named Alexa, is expected to last until Saturday, bringing more snow, rain and freezing temperatures to large swathes of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Majed Jaber (JORDAN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY)
People play with snow after a heavy snowstorm in Amman
People play with snow after a heavy snowstorm in Amman December 13, 2013. A powerful winter storm sweeping the eastern Mediterranean this week is causing mayhem across the region. The storm, named Alexa, is expected to last until Saturday, bringing more snow, rain and freezing temperatures to large swathes of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Majed Jaber (JORDAN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY)
People play with snow after a heavy snowstorm in Amman
People play with snow after a heavy snowstorm in Amman December 13, 2013. A powerful winter storm sweeping the eastern Mediterranean this week is causing mayhem across the region. The storm, named Alexa, is expected to last until Saturday, bringing more snow, rain and freezing temperatures to large swathes of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Majed Jaber (JORDAN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY)