BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhuanet) – The United Nations Refugee Agency says the number of Syrian refugees in neighboring countries and North Africa now exceeds half a million. And the situation is only deteriorating as the numbers continue to climb.

UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming said, "A sad statistic to announce today that the numbers of registered refugees and those awaiting registration has now surpassed the half a million mark. More than half-a-million Syrian refugees have been registered or are awaiting registration in the four neighbouring countries and in North Africa, and these numbers are climbing to about 3,000 per day."

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said Lebanon is now host to over 154-thousand registered Syrian refugees who have fled the 20-month-old conflict. Jordan has over 142-thousand, Turkey 136-thousand and Iraq 65-thousand.

In North Africa there are close to 12-thousand. Only about 40 percent of refugees live in camps, with the majority living in rental housing with host families or in various types of collective centers and renovated accommodation.

UNHCR is stepping up its outreach activities in the region to provide registration and help to those who need it. But the work is not made easy by the wide dispersal of Syrians in some areas.

(Source: CNTV)