The Syrian Civil War is now generally recognized as the worst humanitarian catastrophe of the 21st century. Syria's cities now lie in ruins, and the luckless inhabitants who remain are suffering death, hunger and disease, as well as atrocities and other crimes committed against fighters and civilians of both sides that include arbitrary arrest, rape, kidnapping and the deliberate destruction or damaging of places of worship.
Public attention to the crisis has waned in the US due to the widespread perception that nothing can be done, therefore, the US government needs to both increase its humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees, but also gather and communicate information to help US citizens support the UN and other private relief organizations administering relief already.