The United Nations says there are around one-point-five million internally displaced people in Syria who have fled their homes.

Chaloka Beyani, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, said Thursday that "more and more people are being forced daily to flee their homes as a result of escalating violence, and are seeking refuge in host families, schools and makeshift shelters.”

Beyani also called on all Syrian authorities and parties to the conflict to ensure respect for international law, including human rights and humanitarian law. He also urged them to protect and support the internally displaced people.