Britain has allowed just 24 Syrians to move to the UK under a special relocation programme for vulnerable refugees set up by David Cameron in the face of millions of desperate people fleeing the civil war.
The Syrian vulnerable persons relocation scheme was established in January after the UK declined to participate in a UN-administered resettlement programme.
According to the most recent figures, 2.8 million Syrians have fled the country since the war began more than three years ago, with a further 6.5 million forcibly displaced inside Syria.
Neighbouring countries are struggling to cope with the influx, with no sign of abatement. There are about 1.1 million UN-registered refugees in Lebanon, making up a quarter of that country's population; 760,000 in Turkey; 600,000 in Jordan, and 200,00.
The UK scheme is intended "to provide protection in this country to particularly vulnerable refugees who are at grave risk" by relocating them to Britain. It is separate from the asylum application process for Syrians who are already in the UK to work or study, or manage to reach the UK independently. About 4,000 Syrians have made applications through this channel since the conflict began.
In response to a parliamentary question last month, the immigration minister, James Brokenshire, said: "To date 24 Syrians have arrived in the UK under the Syrian vulnerable persons relocation scheme … The scheme is based on need, rather than being designed to meet a quota. However, we will continue to bring groups here on a regular basis, and envisage that several hundred people will be helped over the next three years".
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