UN: Syria neighbors need more money for refugees

The head of the UN’s Geneva office says 4 million Syrian refugees will “get up and leave and come” toward Europe unless the world community gives money to three neighboring countries of Syria where they now live.

Michael Moeller says UN members need to offset costs paid by Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey, and says the influx of Syrian refugees heading toward Europe is part of a larger, broader trend of mass migration worldwide.

In an interview Monday with The Associated Press, Moeller urges a change in “the narrative” in receiving countries: “Not every refugee is a terrorist, or a criminal, or a job-stealer or whatever.”

He also cautions migrants and refugees against thinking that they’ll “end up — all of them — in Germany.” Germany has been among the most welcoming countries among EU states.

—AP