5 million affected by floods in Pakistan

UNITED NATIONS - Nearly five million people have been affected by the flooding in southern Pakistan, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters Tuesday, citing estimates from the Pakistani government.

"UN agencies and non-governmental organizations are delivering assistance in support of government-led relief efforts," Nesirky said at a daily press briefing.

In early September, flash floods affected Pakistan's Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan provinces, displacing 270,000 people.  

"While thousands of food packages and other supplies have been distributed, people's lives are still in jeopardy in flood-affected areas of the country," Nesirky quoted the UN humanitarian coordinator in Pakistan as saying.

"We must not allow the flood crisis to become a forgotten emergency," said the spokesman.

The Central Emergency Response Fund, a division of the UN office of Humanitarian Affairs, has allocated $10 million to provide assistance in the form of food, water, healthcare and shelter for families affected by the flooding.