United Nations, Oct 24 (IANS): Nearly five million people have been affected by floods in southern Pakistan, a UN spokesperson said here Tuesday.

Speaking during a routine briefing, Martin Nesirky was telling reporters about the flood affected population here, citing estimates from the Pakistani government, Xinhua reported.

"UN agencies and non-governmental organisations are delivering assistance in support of government-led relief efforts," Nesirky said.

In early September, flash floods affected Pakistan's Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan provinces, displacing 270,000 people.

"While thousands of food packages and other supplies have been distributed, people's lives are still in jeopardy in flood- affected areas of the country," Nesirky quoted the UN humanitarian coordinator in Pakistan as saying.

"We must not allow the flood crisis to become a forgotten emergency," said the spokesperson.

The Central Emergency Response Fund, a division of the UN office of Humanitarian Affairs, has allocated $10 million as assistance in the form of food, water, healthcare and shelter for families affected by the flooding.