There are now over one million child refugees from Syria's war. The United Nations called this "a shameful milestone". The children had to leave Syria because it is too dangerous for them to stay. Most of them are in Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon. Some are escaping to Europe and North Africa. The UN said: "This one millionth child refugee is not just another number. This is a real child ripped from home…facing horrors we can only begin to comprehend." Another 2 million children in Syria have no home. Half of Syria's 2 million refugees are children. Over 740,000 of these are under eleven.

Syria's civil war started in 2011. The UN says it is the worst refugee crisis since the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Its spokesperson for refugees told reporters that Syria's youth are losing their homes, family members and futures. He said: "Even after they have crossed a border to safety, they are traumatised, depressed and in need of a reason for hope." The children face many dangers. Many are now used for child labour. Others are sold for early marriages or for the sex trade. Very few of the children go to school. The UN said just 118,000 of the children are in education.