CANBERRA: Australia on Wednesday committed an extra four million dollars to humanitarian assistance in Pakistan and one million dollars to support elections in Afghanistan.

The Pakistan funds would be used to help 2.5 million people displaced by fighting with Taliban militants in the country’s troubled northwest, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said.

‘This latest contribution will enable the World Food Programme to transport local stockpiles of wheat flour to those in need and will feed around one million displaced people over the next six months,’ he said.

Smith said the funds came on top of 18 million dollars already committed to humanitarian aid in Pakistan since September last year.

In Afghanistan, Smith said the Australian money would be spent on helping observers from Asia – including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan – monitor August elections.

‘The conduct of credible presidential and provincial council elections on August 20 will be a vital step towards the international community’s goal of a stable Afghanistan,’ he said.

Smith said Australia’s aid contribution to the Afghan election now totalled nine million dollars.

Australia has also deployed an infantry company of about 120 troops to provide security for the poll.

The soldiers were part of an increased military presence in Afghanistan announced in April that takes Australia’s troop numbers in Afghanistan to 1,550. —AFP