The United Nations’ Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated US$ 17.6 million for urgent help to over five million of the most vulnerable families affected by the Pakistan’ floods, a UN spokesman said on Thursday.

“The money will be used to provide packages of assistance including healthcare, safe water, sanitation, food, shelter materials, blankets, and other life-saving support,” Spokesman Martin Nesirky told the regular noon briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.

The Pakistan Floods 2011 Rapid Response Plan, which has asked for US$357 million, is currently only 15 percent funded; the UN allocation is in fact the single largest donation so far, he added.