ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: The United States has assured it will firmly stand by Pakistan in the reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. “We will remain an active partner of Pakistan in reconstruction and rehabilitation, just as we are in the relief and rescue operations,” US Ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C. Crocker told a press briefing here at the Chaklala air base.

He was flanked by US Disaster Assistance Centre’s Commander Admiral Mike LeFever and USAID/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) leader Bill Berger.

He said the government and the people of United States were saddened by the calamity of incredible magnitude which claimed lives of hundreds of thousands of people and observed that it deserves a response proportionate to that.

He said both military and civilian response to the disaster from the United States was quick and pointed out that the first US relief plane was on the ground after two days of the tragedy.

He said 19 helicopters from United States were currently taking part in the relief operations, adding that some 20 additional helicopters would be arriving here soon. He said some of them had already reached Afghanistan and would fly to Pakistan after re-assembling.

He said among the 19 helicopters, currently carrying out relief operations, 12 were US military helicopters, two contract helicopters and five others, which were already in Pakistan for anti-narcotics related operations.

The US ambassador said the helicopters were being used from dawn to dusk to supply relief goods to the affected areas and airlift patients.

He said over 332 helicopter sorties had so far reached Muzaffarabad, Balakot, Jabori, Kaghan, Mansehra, Battagram, Dagar, and Neelum and Jhelum valleys.

He said a field hospital would shortly be established in Muzaffarabad, to eventually contain an advanced trauma life support and operating room, with specialities in paediatrics, obstetrician/gynaecology, orthopaedics and general surgery and emergency medical care.

Mr Crocker said the US government had pledged up to $50 million to assist in the relief efforts. To date the US government had committed more than $16.8 million in humanitarian assistance to help people in the affected region.

He said American companies have pledged $15 million.