The Netherlands has donated a further €17m to the United Nations’ refugee organisation to help people fleeing the violence in Syria.

Some of the cash will be spent on blankets and heating as winter approaches, aid minister Lilian Ploumen said. The donation brings the total given by the Netherlands to €59m.

According to the UN, two million Syrians have fled abroad since the uprising began and a further four million have left their homes within Syria itself.