The U.S. State Department says the growing violence in Syria is driving more civilians to the country's borders in search of food, water and medical help.

Undersecretary of State for Civilian Security Maria Otero said Thursday that Syria's neighbors — Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey — have been “generous” to the estimated 140,000 people who have fled across the Syrian border.

She particularly thanked Jordan for sharing its scarce fresh water with the refugees.

The State Department says there are half-a-million people in Syria who need food and other help. The United States is calling on the rebels and the Syrian government to respect what it calls the “impartiality of humanitarian workers” who have managed to enter the country.