The Government has pledged an initial €1 million in aid to assist with relief efforts in northern Pakistan following today's earthquake.
Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights, Mr Conor Lenihan said: "The earthquake which struck Northern Pakistan today appears to have had devastating consequences."
Mr Lenihan said: "Details in relation to casualty figures are still emerging, but initial estimates are approximately 1000 people have lost their lives."
The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.6, struck at 8.50am (local time) and was centred in the mountains of Pakistani Kashmir, near the Indian border, about 95 km (60 miles) northeast of Islamabad.
Mr Lenihan said: "Lives have also been lost in India and Afghanistan. Many people will have been left homeless and many others may still be missing and trapped in collapsed buildings."
"The initial needs will be for food, shelter and other basic requirements. Our funding will be available for the Red Cross and Red Crescent family which is very experienced and is present on the ground through its local networks.
Funding is also to be provided if necessary for coordination of the humanitarian effort through the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and for other needs, he said.