The United Nations has called the Syrian refugee crisis the world's largest humanitarian crisis since World War II and an MCC representative for Lebanon and Syria says that's exactly what they're seeing on the ground.

Doug Enns and his wife Naomi are based in Beirut, and Doug says as the crisis rolls over into it's fifth year the situation is getting increasingly worse.

"Things are increasingly bad and getting worse; so despair is on the rise, hope is in short supply, the international humanitarian assistance in dwindling."

He adds over half the population of Syria, 12.2 million, are in desperate need and 7.6 million are displaced from their homes and over 4 million have fled the country as refugees. Enns goes on to say that the Syrian people are stressing if the world wants to stop the flow of refugees, it needs to stop the war.

"And there they're advocating our governments in the west to stop sending arms into the conflict, that is just exacerbating the conflict."

Enns adds another way to stem the tide of refugees heading to Europe is to support the people that remain in Syria. He says this can be done through increased humanitarian assistance, noting food aide is in fact helping people to stay in the country instead of making a risky, and often life threatening, decision to flee.

Over 30,000 people are provided food in the war torn region through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Enns explains this support has not only provided something to eat but in fact, in some cases, has protected people from extremists.

Enns adds when speaking with local Syrians the general thought is that of course refugees need help, but so do the people that remain in the country.

"They need the food, the water, the shelter, the clothing which all increases their sense of security. And they need the advocacy on our part to advocate for a diplomatic and non-military solution to the crisis."

One of the best ways to get started in finding out how you can help is visit MCC Canada's web site which has a information on how you can get involved, whether it be making a monetary donation, or beginning the process of sponsoring a refugee family to come to Canada.