The worst refugee crisis of our generation is happening right now

This week the United Nations announced that the number of people fleeing violence in Syria had passed the four million mark - making it the worst refugee crisis the world has seen in 25 years.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres said:

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.

The vast majority of Syrian refugees are sheltering in neighbouring countries, with most in Turkey (1.8 million), Lebanon (1.2 million) and Jordan (630,000).

The UNHCR said a further 7.6million people were displaced inside Syria due to the country's civil war, which has raged since 2011.

As of June, only 187 Syrians had been granted entry into the UK. David Cameron has since said the country will open its doors to more refugees from the conflict, but not exceeding 1,000 people.

Dr Lisa Doyle, head of advocacy at the Refugee Council, said: "Britain has a proud tradition of protecting and welcoming refugees: the Government must uphold this reputation by going the extra mile and offering a safe haven to thousands, not hundreds, of refugees from Syria who so desperately need it."

More: These are the countries pledged to taking refugees from Syria