Jordan likely to harbour 1.2 million Syrian refugees by end of year: UN

Unicef says the number of refugees is expected to more than double and aid workers are running out of money to help.

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The United Nations is predicting that the number of Syrian refugees in neighbouring Jordan will more than double to 1.2 million by the end of this year.

Unicef spokeswoman Marixie Mercado said on Friday that the UN agency for children urgently needs new funding to continue coping with the influx of refugees. Ms Mercado said: "The needs are rising exponentially, and we are broke."

The number of Syrian refugees in Jordan – a country of 6 million people – is approaching half a million.

The total number of Syrians who have fled their country and are seeking assistance hit 1 million a month ago. The UN says the pace of refugees fleeing has accelerated dramatically in recent months.