Syrian refugee crisis: Women and children risk becoming "forgotten victims"

Women and children risk becoming the "forgotten victims" of the Syrian conflict as the number of refugees top one million.

The warning comes from International Development Secretary Justine Greening as refugees cross the border in their thousands every day.

Half of the refugees are children under 11 who have witnessed horrific violence and suffered tragic loss, said aid agencies.

Ms Greening today called for international donors to deliver the humanitarian help they have pledged. Without such vital support women and children could find themselves the "forgotten victims" with long-term displacement and financial hardship exposing them to exploitation and abuse.

"One million refugees is a terrible landmark and the most vulnerable groups are inevitably those who find themselves at greatest risk," she said.

"Syria's neighbours cannot deal with this alone and all donors must rapidly deliver on the promises they made in Kuwait.

"We are working closely with agencies on the ground. Britain has never stood on the sidelines and we are determined to make sure our support gets help to those in need as quickly and effectively as possible."

[Related: Syria 'spiralling towards disaster': Video shows life in refugee camps as one million are displaced]

She spoke as the UN's refugee agency said more than 400,000 Syrians have left their homes since January, with the number registered as refugees or receiving assistance reaching one million. The number of Syrian refugees is increasing at a much faster rate than expected.

Ms Greening called for measures to address violence against women and girls to be systematically factored into all humanitarian work in the region. Rape and sexual violence against women has been used as a weapon of war in the Syrian conflict.

She also called for more protection and support for the elderly and chronically ill.

At least four million people are believed to be in desperate need within Syria, in addition to the one million refugees who are now dependent on the generosity of host countries.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said Syria was now "spiralling towards full-scale disaster" and the impact on neighbouring countries is severe.

Lebanon's population has increased by an astonishing 10% since the crisis began, while Jordan's water, health and education services are "strained to the limit".

He said: "We are doing everything we can to help, but the international humanitarian response capacity is dangerously stretched. This tragedy has to be stopped."

According to UN data, most refugees have escaped to Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt while some Syrians are increasingly fleeing to North Africa and Europe.

"These countries should not only be recognised for their unstinting commitment to keeping their borders open for Syrian refugees, they should be massively supported as well," Mr Guterres said.

David Bull, executive director of children's charity Unicef in the UK, said the arrival of the millionth refugee across the Syrian border was a "grim milestone".

He said: "Of those million refugees, at least half are children; many of whom have suffered tragic loss and witnessed horrific violence.

"In Syria itself, a further two million children are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance."

The charity is assisting young refugees in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt but said it had an 80percent funding gap and could be forced to cut some of its relief work.

He added: "As of next month, we might not have enough funds to provide children and their families in Syria with clean drinking water. Without this, many thousands of children could be exposed to serious and potentially life-threatening waterborne diseases.