A family displaced by floods lives at the roadside in Qadirpur, 120 kilometres from Sukkur, Pakistan. (Shakil Adil/Associated Press)

An organizer of a Toronto-area fundraiser for Pakistan flood victims says he's pleased the event netted more than $360,000, but is disappointed at the federal government's $33-million contribution.

Over 500 people gathered Sunday night at the sold-out fundraiser at a banquet hall in Thornhill, located just north of the Ontario capital. Toronto is home to some 76,000 people of Pakistani extraction.

Many of those who attended the event, organized by the Canadian Friends of Pakistan, donated much more than the $100 required for admission.

"Canadians are the most giving people in the world. It does not matter what disaster, they are always out there," said Khalid Usman, a member of the organizing group. "And I am seeing that now and I want to thank them personally for coming out. And I'm sure in future, they'll be doing the same."

The floods began in northwest Pakistan almost three weeks ago and have spread throughout the country. Up to 160,000 square kilometres of land — about 20 per cent of the country — has been affected and as many as 20 million people have been left without homes, according to government estimates.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon visited the country on Sunday and called the flooding there the worst disaster he has ever seen.

The UN has issued a global appeal for $460 million US in immediate help.

Federal aid 'a drop in the ocean'

Canada, meanwhile, announced Saturday it would give $31 million in humanitarian aid, in addition to the $2 million it pledged earlier this month.

But Usman is unimpressed by the government's efforts.

"This is only a drop in the ocean, for God's sake. Look at the tragedy that has happened," he said.

Meanwhile, Farooq Sheikh, one of those who attended the fundraiser, thinks individual Canadians should do more.

"When there was [an earthquake] in Haiti, or when there was [the 2004 tsunami] in Indonesia, or wherever, we all tried to help, so other communities should be helping us also," she said.

Another attendee, Farzana Sheikh, said all Muslims should donate now — during Ramadan — because it's customary to be particularly generous during the holy month.

"I wanted to help because at this time everyone gives out," she said.

All proceeds from the Sunday fundraiser are going to the International Development and Relief Foundation, which funds Canadian teams providing food, water and medicine on the ground in Pakistan.