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.