The Syrian conflict is now officially the world’s worst refugee crisis in 25 years, with the number of refugees surpassing 4 million, according to new figures from the United Nations. An additional 7.6 million people have been displaced within Syria by the chaotic civil war, which is now in its fifth year.
“This is the biggest refugee population from a single conflict in a generation. It is a population that needs the support of the world but is instead living in dire conditions and sinking deeper into poverty,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres in a statement.
The UN expects the number to rise to 4.27 million by the end of 2015.
Most refugees remain in the region, often in countries that are ill-equipped to deal with the influx. Humanitarian aid is coming in slowly, and with their limited funding relief agencies are forced to cut food rations.
In addition to the 4 million figure, 270,000 Syrians have also filed asylum applications in Europe.