ISLAMABAD, Oct 9 Rescue teams and aid pledges poured into Pakistan from around the world on Sunday after a devastating earthquake that killed about 20,000 people.
Various countries have announced immediate airlift of doctors, medicines, tents, sniffing dogs and food to earthquake-hit areas.
Here is a breakdown of the aid:
UNITED STATES: The US will provide eight military helicopters to Pakistan as part of an additional emergency assistance.
The US decision was announced by US Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker here on Sunday. The US will provide emergency assistance in the form of emergency supplies, the use of US military helicopters, and emergency management personnel. This second relief package follows an initial $500,000 aid announced on Saturday.
CHINA: China has announced $6.2 million in relief goods which along with a 50-member expert team arrived here on Sunday. The team has extensive expertise in search and rescue and has previously participated in rescue operations in Algeria, Indonesia and Iran.
Meanwhile, a team of Chinese relief and rescue workers has also arrived on Sunday. The China Earthquake Administration has also offered Pakistan search and rescue assistance to help the government cope with the devastation caused by the earthquake.
IRAN: The Islamic Republic of Iran has dispatched, in the first stage, foodstuff, blankets, tents, medicines etc. through two aircraft.
BRITAIN: An initial Search and Rescue Team from the UK equipped with earthquake and heat-seeking equipment arrived here on Sunday morning.
The team of 12 from British NGO Rapid UK and DFID was immediately deployed to a collapsed tower block in Islamabad to help in the hunt for survivors.
DFID, the British Government Department for International Development, has announced that additional teams are on their way to Pakistan.
These teams, totalling more than 70 people, will include; a second team from RAPID UK; a Fire Brigade search and rescue team; a dog team from CANIS; a dog team from British International Rescue Dogs; a team from the International Rescue Corps; a rapid deployment team of Foreign and Commonwealth Office consular staff; three DFID humanitarian advisers; relief supplies, between 7-8 tonnes, of blankets.
The British Government’s relief operation was put into effect on Saturday following the Pakistani Government’s acceptance of a UK offer of help.
MALAYSIA: The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) said a 12-member team, consisting of four doctors and eight relief workers, is expected to leave for Pakistan late on Sunday. MRCS sources said the Malaysian team will be joined by the Red Crescent teams of Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
AUSTRALIA: The government of Australia announced on Sunday it had donated $500,000 for medical and relief assistance to victims of massive earthquake in Pakistan.
GERMANY: The Germany Embassy has announced 50,000 euros in immediate relief and has asked welfare organizations to come with projects and requirements.
IRELAND: Ireland has pledged one million euros in aid to Pakistan and the surrounding region hit by the quake.
JAPAN: Japan has decided to despatch Disaster Relief Team to help relief efforts that are already under way in the affected areas.
UAE: A 28-member UAE team to carry out relief and rescue operation in calamity hit areas arrived here on Sunday afternoon.The team comprising police officials and engineers is fully capable of handling such situations.
The UAE has also sent three cargo planes to Pakistan carrying medicine, food items, tents and blankets.
FRANCE: A 25-member team of French engineers expert in rescue and relief operations arrived Islamabad on Sunday afternoon on a special plane to carry out operations in the earthquake hit areas. Head of the team, Colonel O-Rittimann said on his arrival here that two sniffer dogs trained to locate the dead and the survivors have also been brought along with heavy equipment to be used for cutting concrete and steel structures besides earth moving equipment.
CANADA: The Canadian government has promised at least $300,000 for immediate aid to regions devastated by the earthquake.
The Canadian Government has pledged $100,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for with an additional $200,000 to the Canadian High Commission in Pakistan to respond to urgent requirements.
RUSSIA: The Russian Ministry for emergencies has sent rescuers to Pakistan to render aid in overcoming consequences of the strong earthquake. A total of 30 rescuers from the Tsentrospas detachment and a group from the ministry under the guidance of a high-ranking official of the ministry, Andrei Legoshin, are part of the rescue mission.The rescuers have brought with them four sniff dogs, trained to spot live people under debris, special trucks capable of moving freely in the calamity zone as well as special equipment, permitting to operate independently for 14 days.
TURKEY: Five teams of Turkish rescuers arrived here on Sunday to help search for survivors.
One of the team is made up of 32 doctors, nurses and technicians. Other teams were deployed by the army, the Red Crescent and the civil defence department together with 11 tonnes of humanitarian assistance.
IRELAND: The Irish government has pledged an initial one million euros (1.2 million dollars) to assist with immediate needs to deal with the aftermath of the quake. The Irish Government said funding will also be provided if necessary for coordination of the humanitarian effort through the UN Office.
JAPAN: A Japanese Disaster Relief Team comprising of several dozen experts and doctors arrived here late Sunday.
AUSTRALIA: Australia has pledged 500,000 Australian dollars (US$387,673; $312,580) as assistance.
THAILAND: Thailand on Sunday pledged to send US$100,000 (euro 82,440) in assistance.
