Pakistan: UN raises aid appeal target

The United Nations has almost doubled its appeal target for the South Asia earthquake to $549.6m (£309.3m).

It says more resources are urgently needed to save the lives of more than three million people in remote mountain villages who lack food and shelter.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan told a donors’ conference a “winter without pity” was looming for survivors.

Less than 30% of the UN’s original target of $312m has been pledged.

However in total more than $700m is estimated to have been promised to Pakistan – most of it outside the remit of the UN.