Jordan's Syria Refugee Camps Growing to Size of Cities

Jordan's flood of refugees is far more intense than that flowing into Europe: the King of Jordan has warned that his country is at 'boiling point' as it has already hosted about 1.5 million Syrian refugees. One of the refugee camps, Al Zaatari, is already the size of a town and home to more than 80,000 people.

On Thursday London hosted a conference dedicated to the Syrian conflict with the goal of raising £6billion ($8.75bln) to go to refugee camps such as Al Zaatari, where conditions are quite poor.

One of the biggest camps in Jordan, Al Zaatari is located near the city of Mafraq and is currently home to around 80,000 although the capacity is only designed to accommodate up to 60,000.

FILE - This Thursday, July 18, 2013 aerial view photo, shows the Zaatari refugee camp near the Jordanian city of Mafraq, some 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the Jordanian-Syrian border

© AP Photo / Mandel Ngan, Pool, File

According to the UN Refugee Agency, there is an urgent need for heaters, gas cylinders, blankets, mattresses and a clean water supply.

King Abdullah has urged Western leaders to recognize the huge strain the Syrian conflict is having on his citizens, damaging its education and healthcare systems, calling on the West to help before the 'dam bursts.'