UK pledges £70m more aid for floods recovery

Britain is to commit a further £70 million in aid to Pakistan as the country struggles to recover from the havoc wrought by the floods, the government has announced.

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell, attending an international donors conference at the United Nations in New York, said the money was needed to help the country to start rebuilding in the wake of the disaster.

"Aid so far has focused on keeping people alive," said Mr Mitchell. "We need to continue to focus hard on the public health dangers, which remain extremely serious. But we also now need to start helping people to get back on their feet.

"With four out of five people affected by the floods dependent on farming, it is vital we replace lost seeds, grains and tools before the critical planting season next month and in November."

Mr Mitchell said British aid, which now totals 134m, would also be used to get children back into education following the loss of 8,000 schools in the floods.