At least 20 million people have now been affected by heavy flooding across Pakistan, the country's prime minister has announced, calling the disaster the nation's "worst-ever calamity".
Yousuf Raza Gilani urged Pakistanis on Saturday to "join hands" to help deal with the crisis, which has left more than 1,600 people dead across the country.
"This natural disaster has brought a huge devastation and approximately 20 million people have been affected by it," he said in a sombre address marking Pakistan's independence from British colonial rule 63 years ago.
"[It] destroyed standing crops and food storages worth billions of dollars, causing colossal loss to the national economy.
"Therefore, despite all out efforts by the government, all available aid seems to be inadequate. I would appeal to the world community to extend a helping hand to fight this calamity."
'Help is coming'
Islamabad has faced criticism over its response to the crisis, but Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the country's foreign minister, defended the government's actions on Saturday.
He told Al Jazeera that the international community is waking up to the crisis and therefore, there is no need to declare a state of emergency.
"We don't have to declare an emergency to mobilise people. We have now mobilised people and government agencies and international help is coming," Qureshi said.
The United Nations estimates that the floods have destroyed $1bn worth of crops in Pakistan but Qureshi said that Pakistan has enough wheat supplies to avert a food crisis, and the issue was access and not food supply.
"The reason people are finding it difficult to access food is because many of the bridges were swept away. We can only access them by air, and we have a shortage of helicopters," Qureshi said.
His comments came after Asif Ali Zardari, the country's president, made his second trip to flood-affected areas in the country. Zardari, who came under criticism for failing to cut short a visit to Europe last week at the height of the disaster, pledged to do more to help those affected.
"I promise to you that ... your houses will be built. All those who have had everything washed away will be helped. We are with you, Pakistan is with you, the people of Pakistan are with you, and we will stand together."
Cholera confirmed
Meanwhile, rains continue to fall in parts of Pakistan, and another surge of water is expected to reach Sindh province by Saturday night.
"We don't have to declare an emergency to mobilise people. We have now mobilised people and government agencies and international help is coming," Qureshi said.
The United Nations estimates that the floods have destroyed $1bn worth of crops in Pakistan but Qureshi said that Pakistan has enough wheat supplies to avert a food crisis, and the issue was access and not food supply.
"The reason people are finding it difficult to access food is because many of the bridges were swept away. We can only access them by air, and we have a shortage of helicopters," Qureshi said.
His comments came after Asif Ali Zardari, the country's president, made his second trip to flood-affected areas in the country. Zardari, who came under criticism for failing to cut short a visit to Europe last week at the height of the disaster, pledged to do more to help those affected.
"I promise to you that ... your houses will be built. All those who have had everything washed away will be helped. We are with you, Pakistan is with you, the people of Pakistan are with you, and we will stand together."
Cholera confirmed
Meanwhile, rains continue to fall in parts of Pakistan, and another surge of water is expected to reach Sindh province by Saturday night.
Yousuf Raza Gilani urged Pakistanis on Saturday to "join hands" to help deal with the crisis, which has left more than 1,600 people dead across the country.
"This natural disaster has brought a huge devastation and approximately 20 million people have been affected by it," he said in a sombre address marking Pakistan's independence from British colonial rule 63 years ago.
"[It] destroyed standing crops and food storages worth billions of dollars, causing colossal loss to the national economy.
"Therefore, despite all out efforts by the government, all available aid seems to be inadequate. I would appeal to the world community to extend a helping hand to fight this calamity."
'Help is coming'
Islamabad has faced criticism over its response to the crisis, but Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the country's foreign minister, defended the government's actions on Saturday.
He told Al Jazeera that the international community is waking up to the crisis and therefore, there is no need to declare a state of emergency.
"We don't have to declare an emergency to mobilise people. We have now mobilised people and government agencies and international help is coming," Qureshi said.
The United Nations estimates that the floods have destroyed $1bn worth of crops in Pakistan but Qureshi said that Pakistan has enough wheat supplies to avert a food crisis, and the issue was access and not food supply.
"The reason people are finding it difficult to access food is because many of the bridges were swept away. We can only access them by air, and we have a shortage of helicopters," Qureshi said.
His comments came after Asif Ali Zardari, the country's president, made his second trip to flood-affected areas in the country. Zardari, who came under criticism for failing to cut short a visit to Europe last week at the height of the disaster, pledged to do more to help those affected.
"I promise to you that ... your houses will be built. All those who have had everything washed away will be helped. We are with you, Pakistan is with you, the people of Pakistan are with you, and we will stand together."
Cholera confirmed
Meanwhile, rains continue to fall in parts of Pakistan, and another surge of water is expected to reach Sindh province by Saturday night.
"We don't have to declare an emergency to mobilise people. We have now mobilised people and government agencies and international help is coming," Qureshi said.
The United Nations estimates that the floods have destroyed $1bn worth of crops in Pakistan but Qureshi said that Pakistan has enough wheat supplies to avert a food crisis, and the issue was access and not food supply.
"The reason people are finding it difficult to access food is because many of the bridges were swept away. We can only access them by air, and we have a shortage of helicopters," Qureshi said.
His comments came after Asif Ali Zardari, the country's president, made his second trip to flood-affected areas in the country. Zardari, who came under criticism for failing to cut short a visit to Europe last week at the height of the disaster, pledged to do more to help those affected.
"I promise to you that ... your houses will be built. All those who have had everything washed away will be helped. We are with you, Pakistan is with you, the people of Pakistan are with you, and we will stand together."
Cholera confirmed
Meanwhile, rains continue to fall in parts of Pakistan, and another surge of water is expected to reach Sindh province by Saturday night.
