aid from all around the world.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4324014.stm
Foreign aid effort gets under way
**Countries around the world are mobilising relief teams to help in the aftermath of the earthquake that has devastated parts of Pakistan. **
The EU, the US and Japan, several Muslim nations and the UN have pledged financial aid and rescue support.
India, too, has offered to support its sometime enemy Pakistan.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf called for international assistance and urged donors to provide funds, aircraft and tents rather than manpower.
The UN is sending a team of workers to Pakistan to set up a team for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Race against time
The UN’s top humanitarian official, Jan Egeland, said in a statement that “every hour” counted to save lives in such a large-scale emergency, and said the UN was “ready to assist the country affected in any possible manner”.
The UK has announced an initial aid package of $177,000 and a 60-strong medical and rescue team. Two planes have already left for the affected area.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the aid was an initial allocation, which could be boosted if necessary. the US has promised $100,000.
“Our initial deployments of assistance are under way, and we stand ready to provide additional assistance as needed,” President George W Bush said.
China was among the first countries to react: It sent a 49-member rescue team with sniffer dogs as well as 17 tons of equipment.
Japan has pledged $221,000 worth of emergency supplies and is due to send 50 rescue workers later on Sunday and a medical team on Monday.
Australia has pledged to donate the equivalent of $380,000 for relief work.
A Russian plane with a 30-strong team, sniffer dogs and special equipment, is due to leave for Islamabad later on Sunday.
The World Bank has offered $20m to Pakistan.
Transport problems
Meanwhile, President Musharraf called for more international aid.
Speaking to the BBC, Gen Musharraf said Pakistan needed medicine, tents and blankets to help survivors, and above all help with transport.
“We can only support and reach the people in helicopters, and our helicopter resources are limited ,” he said.
“This earthquake has come in very remote mountainous regions where there aren’t even roads - whatever few roads there were, the main roads have been blocked and swept away, and we are in the process of reconstructing them.”
Several Muslim countries launched an immediate response, too.
Turkey was among the first countries to announce help, sending five teams of rescuers on Sunday morning.
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah ordered supplies and medical teams be sent immediately. Iran dispatched food, blankets, tents and medicines.
Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi and Malaysia also promised help.
Meanwhile, Unicef said an operation was already under way to help children, who according to the agency make up half of the population of the quake-stricken area. The charity Oxfam, too, said it would be coordinating its effort with the UN and other aid agencies. A team was already on its way to Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province, it said. France, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands and Greece have all allocated funds or pledged to assist with immediate needs.
INTERNATIONAL AID
EU: $3.6m
Australia: $380,000
UK: $177,000 and 60-strong team
US: $100,000
China: 49 rescuers, dogs, 17 tons of equipment
Japan: 50 rescue workers
Turkey: five teams of rescuers and 11 tonnes of aid
Russia: 30 rescuers, sniffer dogs, special equipment
Germany: $60,000
