The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said on Thursday it planned to provide food assistance to nearly 20,000 people left homeless by the deadly earthquake that struck Pakistan's north-western Balochistan province a day ago, reported dpa.
"We need to move fast, so we are going to start distributing food stocks from our warehouses in Quetta and Peshawar, so we can reach the people who need it most," said WFP Pakistan Country Director Wolfgang Herbinger, in a statement.
He added that the organization would be coordinating its response with the government and other UN agencies.
The WFP plans to initially provide 700 tons of dry food rations to affected communities. The packages include wheat flour, pulses, cooking oil and salt for two months, according to the statement.
According to official figures, between 200 and 300 people lost their lives and more than 300 were injured in the earthquake that flattened several villages.