UN suspends Pakistan quake aid

Islamabad: The United Nations on Sunday stopped relief flights to Pakistan's earthquake hit Kashmir region amid heavy snow and rain.

UN spokesman Ben Malor said the flights were suspended on Sunday morning and may resume later in the day if the weather breaks.

But Pakistan's Meteorological Department has forecast heavy snow to continue blanketing the quake zone over the next four to five days, possibly triggering avalanches.

"The relief operations will be affected badly," the Pakistan Meteorological Department said.

The United Nations is now focusing on more aid to refugee camps in the quake zone and officials are also preparing to receive up to 60,000 survivors.

"Our rapid assessment of needs after the first biting taste of winter suggests that we need to do more for people in these unplanned camps below the snowline," UN relief coordinator Jan Vandemoortele said.

There are currently 26 planned refugee camps being run by the Pakistan military with assistance and provisions from UN agencies and other donor organizations.