
Syrian refugee crisis —
The U.N. reports that half a million people have registered as refugees from the Syrian civil war -- but a recently returned Red Cross worker says the true figure is far higher because those fleeing are too scared to register.

Syrian refugee crisis —
Currently around 102,000 Syrians are registered with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees within Jordan, and another 41,000 have 'appointments to register'. However, the Jordanian government estimates an additional 100,000 people have crossed the border.

Syrian refugee crisis —
Gradually, after explaining the position of the Red Cross Red Crescent as a neutral, non-religious humanitarian agency, it has been possible to gain people's trust and register some refugees locally. But there are many thousands falling through the net.

Syrian refugee crisis —
Lack of registration makes refugees a lot harder to find. With less than one-fifth of Syrian refugees living in the official refugee camp in Jordan, the majority are living in rented accommodation, or with relatives in overcrowded housing. In Amman, Jordan, it is not unusual to come across two, three or even four families sharing a one-bedroom apartment.

Syrian refugee crisis —
Syrian refugee children wait to enter their class on November 27, 2012 in the Oncupinar camp in Kilis, southern Turkey.

Syrian refugee crisis —
In this handout image provided by UNHCR, UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie meets with refugees at the Zaatari refugee camp on December 6, 2012 outside of Mafraq, Jordan.

Syrian refugee crisis —
A Syrian refugee child sits near his sleeping sister at his family's makeshift house built on an agricultural field in Saadnayel in the Lebanese Bekaa valley on December 12, 2012.

Syrian refugee crisis —
A mother looks over at her disabled child sitting among plastic tents in a refugee camp on the border between Syria and Turkey near the northern city of Azaz on December 5, 2012.