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Syria aid pledge not enough: Oxfam

The federal government will give $10 million in aid to assist Syrian refugees for winter relief, but Oxfam says more needs to be given.

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Syrian refugees. (Getty)

The federal government's $10 million pledge for Syrian refugees is disappointing and doesn't go far enough, aid agencies say.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Thursday promised the winter relief funds for Syrians who have fled their country's civil war and are now in neighbouring countries.

An additional $2 million will go towards efforts to destroy Syria's chemical weapons.

But Oxfam chief executive Helen Szoke said the $10 million sum was "deeply disappointing".

"Australia's commitment to the appeal is not commensurate with the need, the size of the appeal or Australia's capacity to contribute," Dr Szoke said in a statement.

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Dr Szoke said Australia's contribution is a 10th of what it could actually provide - $106 million - based on its gross national income and previous contributions to the crisis.

"Australia needs to give its fair share to the appeal, and needs to do so quickly as time is running out for millions of people struggling to survive as the conflict rages."

The government's latest contribution takes Australia's total assistance to the Syrian crisis to $112.8 million.

World Vision Australia said Australia's contribution fell short.

"We call on the Australian government to give more to the crisis as millions of Syrians and host communities are feeling the ongoing impacts of the conflict; it is a daily struggle to survive," chief executive Tim Costello said.


2 min read

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Source: AAP



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