Pope says world must help South Asia flood victims

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, Aug 12 (Reuters) Pope Benedict today urged the international community to provide prompt assistance to the millions of people displaced by South Asia's worst flooding in decades.

The Pope also prayed for the hundreds who have died.

''May there not be a lack of immediate and generous support from the international community to these brothers and sisters of ours,'' the Pope said, addressing crowds gathered at his summer residence outside Rome.

Survivors of the disaster complain that help has yet to reach them, while local politicians and officials have been caught stealing meagre stocks of food.

Where flood waters recede, animal carcasses rot, sewage festers and mosquitoes breed in filthy water, spreading disease among victims.

REUTERS JT VC1620