The United Nations refugee agency said it is "extremely concerned" for hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees scattered across the region amid a snow storm with high winds and torrential rains, according to the Associated Press.

Dana Sleiman of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said the agency is working "harder than ever" to protect more than 800,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon from the winter weather that hit Wednesday, Dec 11.

The storm pushed temperatures below freezing and dumped snow on northern Lebanon and some areas of the Bekaa Valley, which is dotted with informal refugee settlements.

Sleiman said at least 80,000 Syrians in Lebanon will spend the winter in flimsy tents with often only a plastic sheet covering the ground. She said the Lebanese army is helping distribute emergency kits, including blankets and plastic tarps.