20 Sep 2013

NZ's Syria support not generous enough - Oxfam

6:21 am on 20 September 2013

British-based charity Oxfam says New Zealand has failed to donate its fair share to appeals to help address the Syrian refugee crisis.

The charity's ranking of donations, relative to wealth, suggests Russia, France and the United States should also be giving more.

Kuwait, Luxembourg, Denmark, Saudi Arabia and Britain lead the list of those donating sufficient money.

Oxfam says Britain has given $US286 million to the appeals, more than 1 1/2 times what was expected.

The charity says in contrast, New Zealand has committed just 1% of what it should.

The United Nations' appeal for £3 billion for Syria is only 44% funded so far.