David Cameron has visited camps in Lebanon and Jordan to meet Syrian refugees who have fled their country's civil war.
The Prime Minister has called on other EU countries to "step up to the plate" and follow Britain's lead by funding refugee camps around Syria.
Mr Cameron said there was a "direct connection" between shortfalls in aid for camps in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey and the influx of migrants into Europe.
A dedicated government minister will be appointed to oversee Britain's intake of 20,000 Syrian refugees, David Cameron has announced.
Richard Harrington will ensure the new arrivals are given a "warm welcome" to the UK, he said.
During a visit to a refugee camp in Lebanon, the Prime Minister said Britain was already the second largest donor to camps in the region - and vowed to pump more money into schemes such as education for the children affected by the conflict in Syria.
He said he wanted to take in people directly from the camps to try to discourage them from paying traffickers and making the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean.
On a visit to Jordan, David Cameron says that the EU must "follow Britain's lead" and fund more refugee camps around Syria.
The prime minister has insisted the UK will not participate in plans to redistribute 160,000 refugees who have arrived in Europe.
Train traffic with Austria suspended as German authorities seek to reduce the number of asylum seekers arriving in the country.