The United Nations has released new information revealing the extent of human suffering in Syria.

More than 3 million Syrians have fled their country during the nation's ongoing civil war, straining neighboring countries' abilities to cope with the rising numbers.

According to a press release from the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNCHR), the number of Syrian refugees fleeing for neighboring countries is a new record. Many are leaving because of the violence unfolding in Syria but also because of the deterioration and, in some cases, outright collapse of infrastructure.

"Almost half of all Syrians have now been forced to abandon their homes and flee for their lives. One in every eight Syrians has fled across the border, fully a million more than a year ago. A further 6.5 million are displaced within Syria. Over half of those uprooted are children," the UNCHR said in statement on Friday. The U.N. has over 3 million refugees registered but the number is possibly higher.

Many arrive in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey exhausted, in terrible medical condition and with little, if any, money to survive, said the press release.

"There are worrying signs too that the journey out of Syria is becoming tougher, with many people forced to pay bribes at armed checkpoints proliferating along the borders. Refugees crossing the desert into eastern Jordan are being forced to pay smugglers hefty sums (US$100 a head or more) to take them to safety," the statement said.

These three countries have accepted the bulk of refugees with Turkey taking in 815,000; Jordan 608,000 and Lebanon the most at 1.14 million. However, the UNCHR warns that these countries will not be able to handle this number of refugees for long.

"Syrians are now the world's largest refugee population under UNHCR care..." but international organizations will continue to try and help them.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been supplying refugees in Jordan with medical care, shelter and food, according to a statement made by the ICRC.

"The vast majority of refugees undergo an exhausting journey to reach Jordan," said Catherine Gendre, head of the ICRC delegation in Jordan. "Providing basic necessities such as water, food, shelter and health care -- when needed -- has been our priority in the north-eastern border area."