Estimated 2.5M displaced in Pakistan

NEW YORK, June 1 (UPI) -- The United Nations says more than 2.5 million Pakistanis have been displaced by the offensive against Islamic militants in the northwest region.

The world body warned Monday a lack of funds could cut into services for those people, the U.N. Newswire said. The report said refugee camps are full to capacity and new arrivals "are sometimes forced to drive from site to site in search of shelter."

The International Red Cross has warned the displaced people face a dire humanitarian situation. Some reportedly fled their homes on foot without shoes and have fallen ill from exposure to heat and sun.

U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas told reporters in New York the new refugee figure represented an increase of about 100,000 from last week's figures.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in comments to the General Assembly, stressed the need for greater support both from the international community and the Pakistani Government.

"The human suffering is immense," he said.

The United Nations and others issued an appeal May 22 for $543 million, but thus far only about one-fifth of the amount has been funded, the report said.

"If we do not get the rest of the funds, we will have to start cutting services," Ban warned.

Montas said water and sanitation conditions in the camps need immediate attention to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases.