Thirteen thousand Icelanders are campaigning on social media to assist refugees, after their Government said they would only take a handful.

The Facebook campaign, launched by prominent author Bryndis Bjorgvinsdottir, was created after the Icelandic Government announced last month that it would only accept 50 humanitarian refugees from Syria. 

Many have offered to house Syrian Refugees as part of the campaign, with others offering clothes, money, furniture, and children's toys. There are also offers of support to help refugees assimilate in the country. 

Ms Bjorgvinsdottir's call attracted the support of 10,000 Icelanders within 24 hours. The country's population is 300,000. 

She believes supporters of the campaign want to see action.

"I think people have had enough of seeing news stories from the Mediterranean and refugee camps of dying people and they want something done now." 

One campaigner, Hekla Stefansdottir, offered to pay the flights for a child in need. 

"I'm a single mother with a six-year-old son... I'm a teacher and would teach the child to speak, read and write Icelandic and adjust to Icelandic society. We have clothes, a bed, toys and everything a child needs." 

The Icelandic Government is now looking at increasing its refugee quota.