Australia on Saturday pledged another five million dollars (4.6 million U.S. dollars) to help Pakistan recover from the worst floods in the country's history.

Massive flooding which began in late June has devastated the country, washing away entire villages and killing at least 1600 people, the United Nations estimated.

Pakistan authorities believe more than 12 million people have been affected, with the figure likely to rise as flood waters head south.

Australia has upped its contribution following a plea from the Pakistan government for international help, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said in a statement on Saturday.

It brought Australia's total assistance to Pakistan to 10 million dollars (9.2 million U.S. dollars).

An extra four million dollars (3.7 million U.S. dollars) will go to the World Food Program to help distribute food to affected people.

The other extra one million dollars (0.9 million U.S. dollars) will go to the Pakistan Emergency Response Fund, managed by the United Nations providing emergency relief such as shelter, health and sanitation services.