GENEVA -- With tens of thousands fleeing Syria every month, the number of refugees worldwide in 2012 is set to be the highest this century, according to a senior United Nations official.
Antonio Guterres, the body's High Commissioner for Refugees, told his UNHCR agency's executive committee Monday that its ability to cope was being stretched to the limit.
"Already in 2011, as crisis after crisis unfolded, more than 800,000 people crossed borders in search of refuge -- an average of more than 2,000 refugees every day," the former Portuguese prime minister said.
That total had been the highest since the turn of the century "and so far this year more than 700,000 people have fled from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Sudan and Syria", Guterres said.
Syria's foreign minister says US, allies support 'terrorism'
Last Friday, another UNHCR official said the total from Syria could reach 700,000 this year, nearly four times its earlier estimate as government troops battle rebels across the country.
'Cause for deep concern'
About 294,000 refugees fleeing 18 months of fighting have already crossed into Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Turkey, or await registration there, Panos Moumtzis told a news briefing.
He said 100,000 people had fled Syria in August, 60,000 in September and at the moment 2,000 or 3,000 were crossing daily into neighboring countries.
'Overwhelmed' aid agencies seek $340M to help refugees flooding out of Syria
The new refugees are joining some 42 million around the globe who have fled across borders to escape violence. Many of these have been in temporary shelter provided by the UNHCR for a decade or more, some for even longer.
Amid the global economic crisis and with budgets of governments stretched, Guterres told the executive committee that the cost of helping refugees was escalating fast while long-lasting crises like Afghanistan and Somalia continued.
'Senseless' torture: Charity appeals for help for Syria's kids
"We are at a moment when the demands on us are rising while the means available to respond have remained at a similar level to last year," he said.
"Our operations in Africa, in particular, are dramatically underfunded. At this moment, we have no room for unforeseen needs, no reserves available. In today's unpredictable operating environment, this is a cause for deep concern,” he added.
More world stories from NBC News:
- Hong Kong ferry collision kills 25
- Two female tourists freed after Ecuador kidnap ordeal
- Colonial sins return to haunt former world powers
- Death threats force Afghan actress into hiding
- Experts: Four leopards being killed each week for skins in India
- In Iran, sanctions bite and currency collapses
- Trial of pope's ex-butler over leaked papers begins
- Stay informed: Sign up for our newsletter
