Images of a toddler, washed up on a beach in Turkey, ram home the sometimes deadly consequences of what is going on.
Right now though there seems little prospect of the UK government shifting its position on taking in more refugees, as EU leaders and Labour opponents have been calling for.
Although these latest images are heart wrenching, David Cameron's conviction is that it's more effective to tackle the cause not the symptom of this crisis.
That means substantial amounts of taxpayers' money going to provide food and shelter to refugees on the edges of Syria, to help on the ground. And diplomatically pushing for a political process that can move that country towards peace.
It does not mean throwing open the doors to many more Syrian refugees.
But there are two other parts to the logic of sticking to the position. First, despite what's going on, there is not huge public appetite for the government suddenly to act.
Second, there is a caution about sending a signal to other kinds of migrants, rather than refugees seeking safety, that makes the UK seem a more attractive destination at a time when the government is trying to limit the numbers.
Could that change? Of course. The intensity of the need means the calls to "do more" grow louder every day.
The public imagination, and that of Conservatives, could be stirred by the images to the extent that a shift becomes inevitable. As politicians drift back after their summer break the volume of voices might become too intense.
Or, the incentive to take more refugees as part of a wider deal with Europe - quid pro quo - might become tempting too.
Yet at this moment, there is nothing to force the prime minister to budge. But don't be surprised if the pressure on him to shift continues to build.

The city council has approved plans from the Co-operative Group and Moda Living for the 34-storey Angel Gardens building.
It will be built at Shudehill, on a site once home to an 18th Century cotton mill built by Richard Arkwright.
Angel Gardens will include more than 450 apartments, resident lounges, a cinema room and a rooftop garden.
Developers claim the project will "change the face" of the private rental sector and offer its customers "a lifestyle choice not currently available" in the city.
Angel Gardens is the major residential component of the regeneration of Manchester's urban land, owned by The Co-operative Group and Hermes Real Estate, NOMA.
David Pringle, a director at The Co-operative Group, said: "Angel Gardens will push the boundaries for purpose-built rental accommodation, in a location dubbed by property consultants JLL as the best residential site in the UK, outside of London."

The Walkabout Creek Hotel, in the small town of McKinlay in the state of Queensland, was made a popular tourist attraction by the film.
But owner Paul Collins says he is looking for a change after 23 years.
In the movie, the Walkabout Creek Hotel is the favourite watering hole for knife-wielding hero Mick "Crocodile" Dundee played by Paul Hogan.
The hotel - built in 1900 - was originally known as the Federal Hotel but later changed its name to that used in the film.
"I've been running it for 23 years, it's time for a change and a break," Mr Collins told AFP news agency.
"It's a different pub, it's in a remote location. It's not everyone's cup of tea," he added.
"But there has been some pretty strong interest to date. It's a good pub."
The pub is packed with memorabilia and photographs from the hit film.
It is a popular stopping-off point for tourists who travel between Brisbane and Darwin.
Only the hardest of hearts would not be moved by the latest images of the people who have been caught up in the danger and chaos of this mass movement.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
A block of "new style" flats is to be built near Manchester's Victoria station.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
The Australian outback pub made famous by the 1980s film Crocodile Dundee is up for sale.