A FURTHER £145,000 of emergency aid is being donated by the overseas aid committee of the Council of Ministers to charities responding to the flooding in Pakistan.

The committee had already pledged £40,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal following the flooding at the beginning of August.

Since then the crisis has worsened, with more than 1,500 people reported to have died and 17 million being directly affected by the floods.

The money from the Isle of Man Government will be distributed among the member organisations of the DEC, which includes Action Aid, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Save the Children and Tearfund.

The DEC reports that more than 800,000 people have been helped by the member agencies.

Chairman of the overseas aid committee Phil Gawne MHK said: "I am glad that the committee has been able to agree further funding for relief efforts in Pakistan.

"These funds, combined with those of the international community, will make a difference.

"However the DEC reports that support is still needed and I would urge everyone to support the efforts of those continuing to raise money locally."