Boost response to Syria, Plibersek urges

Labor's foreign affairs spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek has called on the government to improve its "woefully" inadequate response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria.

Ms Plibersek has written to Foreign Minister Julie Bishop urging her to boost the government's $12 million contribution to the war-torn country.

She said 9.3 million Syrians were in urgent need of help, according to figures released by the United Nations.

"The Abbott government's $12 million contribution pales in comparison to other countries," she said, citing the $164 million recently given by the UK, the $75 million from Norway, and the $500 million provided by Kuwait.

The former Labor government had given about $100 million to Syria between 2011 and 2013, Ms Plibersek said.

"The Abbott government's response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria has been woefully inadequate," she said in a statement.