THE UK needs to ‘step up’ its commitment to resettling vulnerable and desperate Syrian refugees, the boss of an Oxford charity has claimed.

Mark Goldring, chief executive of Oxfam GB based in Cowley, has urged leaders of ‘rich’ countries to help house the ‘most vulnerable’ refugees by the end of the year.

It comes after it was last week revealed more than five million Syrian refugees have been forced to flee their homes and escape to other countries - which makes up a quarter of the Asian country’s population.

Mr Goldring said: “This sad milestone shows how desperate people are to flee the violence and persecution in Syria. Despite ever greater numbers of Syrians crossing the border, the UK Government has refused to revisit its pledge to resettle 20,000 refugees over five years.

“Oxfam calls on rich countries to show their support for Syria’s neighbours that have welcomed the lion’s share of these refugees and to resettle at least the most vulnerable 10 percent by the end of 2017.

“Next week’s meeting in Brussels is an opportunity for the UK to show leadership by stepping up its commitment to Syrians forced to flee.”

The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR announced more than five million Syrian refugees has sought safety in other countries on Thursday.

It also said only 250,000 refugees have been resettled.

Ministers from 70 nations, including the UK, will come together in Brussels on Wednesday for the Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region conference.