Helicopters respond to Pakistani floods

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Islamabad offered the U.N. World Food Program the use of its helicopters to deliver food aid to people affected by massive flooding, the United Nations said.

Monsoon rains sweeping through northwest Pakistan have caused devastating floods in the region. A team with the WFP said it found safe locations in the northwest Swat Valley to land helicopters.

The agency said it was working with its humanitarian partners to deliver emergency food aid to the tens of thousands of people affected by the flooding.

"In this scene of devastation, with roads cut (off) and bridges washed away, these helicopters are literally life-savers as they are the only way to get vital food supplies to many thousands of hungry and desperate people," said Josette Sheeran, executive director at WFP.

Officials with the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the death toll from the flooding has topped 1,600 people with more than 4 million affected by the catastrophe.

The U.S. State Department said it committed 12 military helicopters to assist in the flood response and committed more than $35 million in emergency aid.

Pakistani newspaper Dawn calls for scattered showers and high temperatures during the weekend.