The United Nations said on Wednesday that the number of Syrians who fled the deadly unrest which erupted in the country two years ago has reached one million.
The United Nations said on Wednesday that the number of Syrians who fled the deadly unrest which erupted in the country two years ago has reached one million.
"With a million people in flight, millions more displaced internally, and thousands of people continuing to cross the border every day, Syria is spiraling towards full-scale disaster," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said in a statement.
"We are doing everything we can to help, but the international humanitarian response capacity is dangerously stretched. This tragedy has to be stopped."
The UNHCR said the one million figure comprised both registered refugees and those awaiting registration, and that the count was based on fresh data received from its offices in the Middle East.
The agency previously had estimated that numbers would reach 1.1 million by June but said Wednesday that it would adjust that figure.
The exodus has intensified this year, the UNHCR said, with 400,000 Syrians fleeing their country since January 1.
Only a year ago, the UN agency had only registered 33,000 refugees.
The refugees have fled primarily to Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt, but increasingly they are trying to reach North Africa and Europe, the UNHCR said.
"This number translates into one million people who are dependent on the generosity of host countries, the response of humanitarian agencies and the financial support of governments and individuals," said Guterres.
He underlined the impact of the numbers, with Lebanon's population having increased by as much as 10 per cent and Jordan's energy, water, health and education services being strained to the limit.
"These countries should not only be recognized for their unstinting commitment to keeping their borders open for Syrian refugees, they should be massively supported as well," said Guterres.
The UNHCR chief is due to travel to the region later this week to visit the agency's operations in Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon.
