A Blackburn with Darwen Councillor has travelled to Pakistan to see first-hand the damage caused by the recent floods.

Cllr Hussain Akhtar who represents Shear Brow and Corporation Park ward was visiting areas affected by the devastating floods.

Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority has reported that floods fuelled by abnormally heavy monsoon rains have killed 1,695 people, affected 33 million more, damaged more than two million homes and displaced hundreds of thousands now living in tents or makeshift homes.

Cllr Akhtar said: “I was asked by people in the community to distribute money collected and from our own family members.

“The damage and destruction caused by the floods is evident in large parts of the areas I visited. 

“I would like to thank everyone who donated. The people here are very thankful for your help.”

Lancashire Telegraph: Councillor Akhtar was visiting an aid centre which was being being funded by local donationsCouncillor Akhtar was visiting an aid centre which was being being funded by local donations (Image: Councillor Akhtar was visiting an aid centre which was being being funded by local donations)

Cllr Akhtar visited an aid centre run by Benefit Mankind and the Akhtars Foundation and saw first hand the work being conducted to assist people.

He added: “You could queues of people and the hard work of volunteers and aid workers. There is still a lot to be done as this was a major flood disaster.”

This week a UN official announced an increase in the humanitarian appeal for Pakistan to $816m (£721m), from £160m (£141m), amid rising deaths from disease.

In Geneva, Julien Harneis, the UN resident coordinator in Pakistan, told reporters that aid agencies needed more funds to prevent a “second wave of destruction” from waterborne and other diseases in Pakistan.