"The United Nations is grateful for the additional pledges so far of 525 million dollars to the assistance efforts in northern Pakistan," UN emergency relief coordinator Egeland said in a statement read out by an official.

However, UN officials emphasised that it was not clear how much of that amount was earmarked for the world body's 550-million-dollar (456-million dollar euro) appeal for emergency relief aid to quake victims over the next six months, or for longer-term reconstruction efforts.

Some 60 countries took part in the meeting with the United Nations, Pakistani government officials and other relief agencies including the Red Cross.

Before the meeting, the UN said it had received about 100 million dollars (83 million euros) in promises or committed cash, just a fraction of what it had been asking for.

Despite the doubts about where the promised funding would eventually go, Egeland said it would boost to the race to deliver aid and care to up to 3.3 million homeless or injured victims in Pakistani Kashmir before winter.

"This will help energise further the struggle to reach the earthquake-stricken communities in the Himalayas," Egeland said.

"With the resources made available today and the commitments that will come in the coming days, we will redouble our collective efforts."

Egeland also emphasised that the promises had to be transformed into "actionable contributions" to allow humanitarian agencies to deliver aid and care.

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