UNHCR: Syrian Refugees Top 3 Million

Over 3 million people have fled the civil war in Syria, according to reports of the United Nations refugee agency.

Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), called the crisis "the biggest humanitarian emergency of our era" in a Friday statement.

According to the press release, almost half of all Syrians have been forced to abandon their homes.

In 2013, the number of Syrian refugees increased by 1 million.

Syria's refugee crisis has resulted in a total of 6.5 million displaced within Syria, according to the UNHCR.

Most of the Syrian refugees remain in countries neighboring Syria, with the highest concentrations in Lebanon (1.14 million), Jordan (608 000) and Turkey (815 000).

The influx of refugees places an enormous strain on the economy, infrastructure and resources of the host countries.

According to the UNHCR, more than four in five refugees are struggling to make a living in urban areas, with 38% of all refugees living in sub-standard conditions.

In 2013, 1.7 million refugees received food aid, 350 000 children were enrolled in school, and shelter in camps was provided for more than 400 000 refugees.

Donors have contributed more than USD 4.1B to successive regional response plans since 2012. However more than USD 2B more is needed by the end of this year to meet the urgent needs of refugees.

The conflict raging in Syria has claimed more than 191 000 lives since March 2011.