Minieh: The United Nations has said that it was “extremely concerned” for the plight of Syria’s refugees as snow and freezing temperatures descended on the region.

Syria and the countries that border it have been bracing for what is expected to be the worst winter storm in years.

In Lebanon, despite the wintry conditions, the flow of Syrians fleeing the war is unrelenting. Local officials in the border town of Arsal, where some of the heaviest snow fell overnight, reported the arrival of 200 men, women and children who had risked the treacherous journey across the mountains on foot. Many were from the town of Yabroud in the Qalamoun region, where a Syrian army offensive is underway.

Aid agencies, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Lebanese army rushed to distribute kits containing plastic sheeting and blankets to the newcomers, but poorly funded humanitarian groups are struggling to meet the overwhelming needs. Authorities remain reluctant to establish permanent refugee camps in Lebanon and have opened only one official, 100-tent “transit camp.”

In the Lebanese town of Minieh, just outside the port city of Tripoli, a muddy, makeshift collection of tents and shacks spills down from the side of the highway to the coast. Despite biting sea winds and flooding, the 400 Syrians who have sought refuge here do not qualify for the UNHCR’s winter fuel assistance, because their camp is too close to sea-level.

Roberta Russo, spokeswoman for the UN refugee agency UNHCR, said the sheer size of the influx into Lebanon this year posed a major challenge.

“In December last year, we had less than 200,000 and now we are at 830,000,” she said. “And the funding has not increased proportionally.”

Russo said the agency’s top priority was refugees at higher altitudes, where snow was falling. But she said assistance would be expanded where possible.

“We are extremely concerned about the onset of winter,” Russo said. “We are giving out blankets and materials. But as long as people remain in tents, there’s only so much you can do.”

Aid agencies warn that nations most tested by the Syrian crisis, including Lebanon, are likely to see increasing tensions between local residents and refugees.

The issue was highlighted this month, when Lebanese villagers set a Syrian camp alight after accusing four refugees of rape, despite a doctor saying the allegations were baseless. Russo said UNHCR is now focusing on reducing tensions by bolstering impoverished towns flooded by refugees.

“If we continue like this, the tension that is already increasing is only going to escalate. The situation could degenerate.”