World Bank steps in to help boost Pakistan appeal

The floods began three weeks ago but the crisis could yet worsen, with authorities warning that the swollen Indus River may burst its banks again.

Local charities and international agencies have rushed food, water, shelter and medical treatment to the worst-hit areas in the north-west and Punjab and Sindh provinces.

But aid agencies and the British Government have complained that the international response to the disaster has not been generous enough.

The UN appealed last week for $459m (293m) for immediate relief efforts. It has received 40 per cent of that amount so far and another $43m (27.5m) has been pledged.

UN spokesman Maurizio Giuliano said: "We would like our pledges to turn into cheques as soon as possible because the situation is getting very bad."

The World Bank said the funds it is offering are to help Pakistan recover from the floods and would be redirected from other planned projects in the country.

With huge destruction to roads and bridges and crops wiped out in many areas, authorities expect reconstruction to take years and cost billions. Many victims are living in makeshift camps alongside their livestock or in flooded towns and villages.

The UN said in a statement: "The vast geographical extent of the floods and affected populations meant that many people have yet to be reached with the assistance they desperately need." It also said the number of children and breast-feeding mothers affected and increasing cases of diarrhoea "point towards a clear risk of malnutrition among the affected population".

The floods have killed about 1,500 people and inundated 1.7m acres of wheat, sugar cane and rice crops, raising the prospect of food shortages in the already-poor nation.

Authorities in Sindh province said more floods were likely over the next 24 to 48 hours.

US ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson said it was too soon to fully understand the scale of the disaster, including its impact on the Taliban and al-Qaida-led insurgency on Pakistani soil.

But she downplayed concerns that Islamist extremists are winning flood victims' support through their own relief activities. "To be blunt, I think these stories about extremist organisations being the only players out there are greatly exaggerated," she added.

HOW YOUR CASH CAN ADD TO FUNDS

To make a donation to the DEC Pakistan appeal, call the 24-hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900, visit www.dec.org.uk

Or donate over the counter at any post office or high street bank, or send a cheque made payable to DEC PAKISTAN FLOODS APPEAL and post to DEC PAKISTAN FLOODS APPEAL, PO BOX 999, LONDON, EC3A 3AA

People can also donate 5 by texting the word GIVE to 70707.