Record exodus of Syrians to Jordan

Since the start of the year, a record number of Syrians have crossed the border into Jordan, about 40,000 people, 26,000 of whom are children.

Jordan has kept its borders open and as many as 3,000 Syrians cross each night, many coming from the northern areas of Aleppo and Daria where the fighting is now focused.

It's adding to the 340,000 Syrians already in refugee camps in Jordan, while around 2.5 million have been displaced by the fighting.

It's a growing humanitarian cost to agencies and the neighbouring government.

It comes as Foreign Minister Bob Carr has committed another $10 million in aid to, pushing Australia's total aid contribution during the 22-month conflict now stands at $41.5 million.

In Jordan with UNICEF, Dominique Hyde says that each morning, families have appeared in Jordan fleeing from Syria where the cold weather and lack of utilities is forcing them to choose.

“[But] their main concern is the security situation on the [Syrian] side of the border,” Ms Hyde said.

“They arrive with barely the clothes on their back, they are scared and have often left their husbands.”

The numbers of children arriving in the camps is staggering.

“Sixty per cent are children, the reason is they have large families, often they have five to six children and often they will cross with their nephews and nieces,” she said.

But she says one of the biggest concerns are the births that are happening in the camp.

“We now count more than seven children born in the camps each day.”

News of the execution of about 71 mostly young men on the banks of a river in Aleppo reached those in the camp, she said.

“Absolutely, unfortunately that is just one story among so many. These stories are not just part of the news, they are part of the daily life of these refugees, and of course what will that mean for the future of Syria?”

To support UNICEF Australia's appeal of children affected by the Syria conflict phone 1300 884 233 or visit www.unicef.org.au