United States To Increase Pakistan Aid To $150 Million

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she would announce the expansion at a UN meeting.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Washington will increase to $150 million its aid for Pakistan as the country struggles to deal with a massive flood crisis.

Clinton told a Pakistani television station that she would announce the expansion, from the current $90 million in U.S. aid, at a UN meeting today aimed at mobilizing international support for Pakistan's humanitarian needs.

The United Nations says more than 4 million people were without shelter following three weeks of floods in Pakistan.

The UN has described Pakistan's worst humanitarian crisis as one of the world's biggest disasters, and has launched an emergency appeal for $460 million in emergency aid. But as of August 18, it had received pledges for just over half the amount.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is to brief a special meeting of the General Assembly today on his visit to Pakistan on August 15 and urge for more aid for flood victims.

Germany and Saudi Arabia also announced new pledges of aid today.

Up to 1,600 were killed in the floods, which affected some 20 million people.

compiled from agency reports