ISLAMABAD, Aug 13 The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement on Friday warned of deepening crisis in Pakistan because of the floods.

With 14 million people affected and 720,000 homes damaged or destroyed and no end to monsoon rains, the movement, deeply concerned about the escalating humanitarian crisis, fears the gap between needs on the ground and available resources is widening.

“This is a disaster of unimaginable proportions. We are scaling up our response significantly together with Red Cross and Red Crescent partners from around the world,” Chairperson Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Senator Nilofar Bakhtiar, flanked by partner representatives, told a press conference.

PRCS, International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have appealed to the world for assistance for the millions who would be relying on food aid and emergency relief in the coming months.

Describing support from partners as 'rock solid', Ms Bakhtiar said, “We initially planned to assist 15,000 families (7 members in each family). We have increased assistance to 30,000 families.

If PRCS trucks reach their destinations tonight, we will be reaching 40,000 families.” The senator said with support from partners, PRCS has now planned to reach 300,000 affected families.

Secretary General IFRC Bekele Geleta, who is in Pakistan to assess the damage, said the needs on the ground require a massive response from the government and local and international organisations. “We need to plan for long-term recovery. But to achieve this we urgently need donors to support us,” he said.

Mr Geleta, who had not seen such devastation, said that providing clean drinking water was top priority. “Children are dying as we speak.” In his estimates, 200 million Swiss francs were needed in aid.

However, Pascal Cuttat, head of ICRC delegation, said it was impossible and impracticable to give an estimate.

“We are here to help wherever is needed and whoever needs it.” He said efforts were also being made to reunite families separated in floods.

He said the 14 million affected in the afloods would require consistent long-term assistance.