Organisation of the Islamic Conference calls for aid to Pakistan

The Organisation of the Islamic Conference on Saturday called for its members to offer support to Pakistan, where massive floods are causing an ongoing humanitarian crisis, dpa reported.

OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu called on the 54 member states to "take a prompt action in order to contain the catastrophic effects of the unprecedented floods in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan."

Nadeem Ahmed, the head of Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority, said that 12 million people have been affected by the natural disaster in the country's north-west and south.

Over 1,600 people died last week and tens of thousands are still stranded, according to officials. New rains are also causing more displacements and deaths, and hampering relief efforts.