US pledged $510 mn for Pak quake relief

The United States has pledged a total of $510 million to Pakistan for relief and reconstruction efforts, following the October 8 earthquake.

The American package of assistance would include $300 million for humanitarian relief and reconstruction, $110 million to support relief operations of the Defence Department and another $100 million that is anticipated from private contributions from the US, according to a latest fact-sheet put out by the State Department.

There are more than 1000 American personnel in Pakistan to assist with the relief efforts, the State Department said.

The pledge is that the US military will support the relief effort at the invitation of the Pakistani government until such time operations can be effectively transitioned to the host country, it said.

• Images: 'Don't send money'

The latest statistics show that more than 250 military and cargo airlifts by theUS have delivered more than 7,000 tonnes of medical supplies, food, shelter material and other rescue equipment to Pakistan.

In addition to this, US helicopters have flown over 3,000 missions delivering nearly five million kgs of relief supplies and transporting more than 15,000 people including some 4,300 in need of medical attention, the State Department noted.

The American private donations for the earthquake relief and reconstruction is said to be nearly $75 million but is expected to reach the $100 million mark.

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