Washington: US President Barack Obama has signed an executive memorandum to provide USD 33 million for the refugees of Pakistan's worst floods that have claimed over 1,700 lives and affected 20 million people.

The huge majority of funding for the U.N.-led relief operation so far has come from traditional donors -- principally the United States, Australia, Denmark and Britain. Many of Pakistan's regional allies and neighbors, including China, Iran and Saudi Arabia, as well as other developing countries, have sent only a trickle of aid in the crucial first weeks of the crisis.

With this the total US aid to Pakistan for flood relief work has crossed USD 230 million -- the largest foreign donor to the flood-ravaged country. India has provided USD 25 million, which is routed through the United Nations.

In a memorandum addressed to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Obama said that it is important to America's national interest to furnish assistance an amount not to exceed USD 33 million from US Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund for the purpose of meeting unexpected and urgent refugee and migration needs.