Radio presenter Shereen Nanjiani has made an urgent appeal to Scots to donate money to help the victims of the Pakistani floods.

More than 1,600 people have died in the past week following massive floods in the country’s Punjab region. And the UN says around four million have been affected.

The Radio Scotland broadcaster said: “These floods are the worst to hit Pakistan in 80 years.

“The death toll is horrifying and hundreds of thousands more people have lost everything. Many in Scotland – myself included – have family ties to Pakistan and many will have relatives suffering because of the floods.

“I would urge everyone to do what they can to help bring relief to the people of Pakistan.”

The Disasters Emergency Committee launched its appeal in Scotland yesterday.The DEC brings together all the aid agencies in the UK to focus the appeal and get help to the area has quickly as possible.

Gerry McLaughlin, chairman of the appeal and director of the Red Cross, Scotland, said: “The need is for basic necessities; food, water, shelter, sanitation and medical supplies.

“Scots have always punched well above their weight for donating compared to any other part of the UK.”

The flooding began in Pakistan more than week ago and has devasted the Punjab region, the countries most populous area, after huge monsoon rains. And more rain is forecast.

Habib Malik, from Islamic Relief, said: “ Entire livelihoods were washed away in hours.”

DEC says just £7.50 will buy a hygiene kit for six; £25 will provide 5,000 chlorine tablets for safe drinking water; £50 will feed two families for a month and £100 will buy winter shelter for a family.

To donate call DEC on 0370 60 60 900 or visit the website www.dec.org.uk