Haley wants UN to move aid focus to nations hosting Syrians

AMMAN, Jordan – President Donald Trump’s U.N. ambassador wants a shift in the way the United Nations and aid groups support Syrian refugees.

Nikki Haley says the focus should move to supporting roads, schools and hospitals in neighbouring countries that have been overwhelmed by millions of refugees.

Haley says a lack of co-ordination among aid agencies has led to duplication of efforts and inefficiencies as Syria’s civil war drags into its seventh year.

She’s drawing a distinction between short-term humanitarian aid — like food and health supplies — and development assistance that helps countries boost their infrastructure to accommodate refugees.

Haley is touring refugee camps and cross-border aid missions this week on a trip to Jordan and Turkey. She says she’ll work on changing the situation when she returns to the U.N.