AS THE night-time temperature in Syria drops closer to freezing and the rains begin, it is difficult to imagine how those who have barely survived without electricity, water or enough food this year can endure another winter.

Each day the emails come in: ''The Syrian Network for Human Rights documented the death of 199 people across Syria today, including 10 children, 15 women, and two killed under torture.'' More than 44,000 have been killed during the 21-month conflict.

Soon the snow will begin, only worsening the misery of those who have survived for so long without the most basic essentials.

Children have missed multiple school terms, farmers have been forced to let crops die and fruit rot on trees, while many families have moved again and again until they have been forced to admit the unthinkable: in Syria, today, there are no safe places.