Links
Pakistan floods affect more than 3 million people
The worst floods in a generation in northwest Pakistan have affected more than 3 million people so far and the death toll has climbed over 1,500, according to the UN Children's Fund.
Abdul Sami Malik said 1.3 million people were severely affected by the floods which have brought heavy criticism of the government over its response to the disaster.
Pakistani authorities are struggling to help victims of the flooding, many of whom have lost their homes and livelihood and say they had not received any official warnings that floods were heading their way.
Islamic charities, some with suspected ties to militants, have stepped in to provide aid to the affected people. They played a key role in the relief effort following a 2005 earthquake in Kashmir that killed 75,000 people.
Authorities are expecting the death toll to rise, as more of the heavy monsoon rains lashing the area for the past week are forecast. Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority said more than 29,500 houses were damaged and a key trade highway to China was blocked by flooding.
Thousands remained trapped, many on rooftops, with dwindling food and clean water as medical teams tried to prevent deadly outbreaks of cholera and malaria.