Malaysia has pledged to contribute RM3.8 million (US$1 mil) towards Pakistan's earthquake relief effort, saying it was vital to help homeless victims before winter arrives.

"More than two weeks since the massive earthquake struck South Asia, the scale of the disaster continues to shock and sadden us," Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar told reporters.

"The world community has to respond on an urgent basis. We must do what we can to help the earthquake survivors cope with the onset of winter," he said.

The United Nations said Thursday that key emergency aid operations for Pakistani earthquake survivors are still vastly underfunded, a day after donor nations promised about half a billion dollars more in assistance.

Syed Hamid said that to complement the financial contribution, Malaysia had sent blankets, tents, food and medicines and deployed volunteers to carry out relief activities in the worst-affected areas of Pakistan.

Need to do more

The Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the world's biggest Muslim grouping, has already given 523 million dollars and other aid to victims of the October 8 South Asian quake, he said.

"Obviously, for operations of such nature, we need to do more," he added.

Malaysia is the current chair of the OIC.

The 7.6-magnitude earthquake devastated Pakistani Kashmir and parts of North West Frontier Province, killing 54,000 people and leaving around 77,000 injured. More than 1,300 also died in Indian Kashmir.