U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) said Friday the United States and other countries around the world need to step up their humanitarian efforts to help refugees who have fled Syria.

Cantwell released the following statement after the U.S. response to the Syrian government’s chemical weapons attack on its own people:

“Last night’s targeted strike on assets to stop Assad’s chemical attack on innocent people, including children, was appropriate. The international community and U.N. should move more aggressively to counter Assad on his violation of Syria’s obligations to get rid of their chemical weapons.

“The president must lay out a comprehensive strategy for the conflict in Syria that includes clear goals, diplomatic objectives, partnership with the international community, and dealing with the refugee crisis.

“With more than 5 million refugees that have fled Syria, more needs to be done by the U.S. and international community to provide humanitarian support.”