UK donates £10m to Swat refugees

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Britain has given another £10m in aid to help more than two million people displaced by fighting in Pakistan's Swat valley region.

The UK government has already donated £12m since November 2008.

The United Nations has appealed for a total of $543m (£342m) in humanitarian aid, saying the "extraordinary" exodus had caused "incredible suffering".

International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said he was "deeply concerned" about the situation.

The Pakistani army has been fighting the Taliban in Swat and other north-western areas since a peace deal broke down earlier this month.

Tens of thousands of people are being housed in makeshift camps and Mr Alexander said the money would help provide them with food, water and emergency shelter.

"A mass movement of people of this scale poses huge humanitarian challenges," he said.

"The aid agencies on the ground are doing heroic work under extremely difficult conditions and we are determined to support their efforts.

"This extra money will help the UN manage a coordinated and effective international response to this crisis to allow those affected by the fighting to take the first steps towards rebuilding their lives."