Australia pledges $10m to Pakistan

Australia has pledged another $5 ($6.26) million to help Pakistan recover from the worst floods in the country's history.

Massive flooding which began in late June has devastated the country, washing away entire villages and killing at least 1600 people, the UN estimates.

Pakistan authorities believe more than 12 million people have been affected, with the figure likely to rise as flood waters head south.

Australia has upped its contribution by $5 million following a plea from the Pakistan government for international help, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said in a statement on Saturday.

It brings Australia's total assistance to Pakistan to $10 million.

The first $5 million was pledged on August 2 and allocated to buy food, water, tents and medical supplies.

But conditions had since worsened.

An extra $4 million will go to the World Food Program to help distribute food to affected people.

The other extra $1 million will go to the Pakistan Emergency Response Fund, managed by the UN providing emergency relief such as shelter, health and sanitation services.

- AAP