Prime Minister David Cameron has announced the UK will invest at least an extra £1.2billion in international aid to support Syria and the surrounding countries.
He said the current £1.12billion funding would be more than doubled over the next four years.
The additional money will bring the UK’s contribution to almost a quarter of the $7.73billion (£5.45billion) the United Nations estimates is needed for work in the region.
Mr Cameron said the UK’s £2.3billion pledge – ahead of today’s Supporting Syria and the Region Conference – would “set the standard for the international community”.
He added: “With hundreds of thousands of people risking their lives crossing the Aegean or the Balkans, now is the time to take a new approach to the humanitarian disaster in Syria.
“More money is needed to tackle this crisis and it is needed now.
“But the conference is about more than just money. Our new approach of using fundraising to build stability, create jobs and provide education can have a transformational effect in the region – and create a future model for humanitarian relief.
“And we can provide the sense of hope needed to stop people thinking they have no option but to risk their lives on a dangerous journey to Europe.”
The funds will be used for education, jobs and humanitarian protection in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.
Mr Cameron’s announcement came as representatives from 70 countries and international organisations around the world descended on London.
The conference, which has the backing of the Prince of Wales, is being co-hosted by the UK, Germany, Norway, Kuwait and the UN.
As well as encouraging countries to stump up cash, it will aim to build economic opportunities and seek to put all refugee children in education by 2017.