World leaders grieved over quake devastation

ISLAMABAD—Queen Elizabeth has expressed her grief and condoled the numerous loss of life in Pakistan due to devastating earthquake striking the country on Saturday.
In her message to President Musharraf the Queen said, “ I was shocked to hear of the devastating earthquake which has caused such destruction and loss of life in Pakistan. I send my heartfelt sympathy to you and the people of Pakistan, especially to the bereaved, the injured and all who have been affected by this terrible disaster”.
Japanese Emperor Akihito, Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi and Foreign Minister, Nobutaka Machimura have conveyed their heartfelt condolence to the affected people of Pakistan by the earthquake on October 8.
The Government of Japan has decided to dispatch a Japan Disaster Relief Team comprising of several dozen experts and doctors to help the efforts to deal with rescue operation and medical treatment of the affected people in disaster areas including Islamabad.
The team will arrive here at the late night of the October 9 and will be put into operation immediately.
Iranian President Mehmood Ahmadinijad has expressed his deep condolences over the loss of human lives following the Saturday’s earthquake with President General Pervez Musharraf.
According to Kuwaiti news agency, in a statement issued by Presidential office, Iranian President on behalf of Irani government and people expressed solidarity with the earthquake-affected families and also prayed for early recovery of the injured.
Iranian President also expressed willing to extend relief support to Pakistani government for earthquake affectees at this critical juncture.
US Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker announced Sunday that the US will provide additional emergency assistance to Pakistan in response to the earthquake that struck Pakistan and other areas in South Asia yesterday. The US will provide additional assistance in the form of emergency supplies, the use of U.S. military helicopters, and emergency management personnel. This second relief package follows an initial $500,000 in disaster assistance announced yesterday. The U.S. will continue to coordinate with the government of Pakistan to evaluate what additional relief assistance will be needed.
US assistance will include the following: The assistance extended by US including eight US military helicopters to assist in bringing emergency relief to communities and villages affected by the earthquake. Some of the most severe damage from the earthquake has been sustained in remote areas not easily accessible by road. The helicopters will facilitate the delivery of relief supplies to these remote areas in Pakistan.
A seven-person Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) that will arrive in Pakistan on October 10 and 12. The team’s mission is to assess humanitarian needs, assist with targeting and coordination of US assistance, and provide technical assistance as needed. Two C-130 US military aircraft containing blankets, winterized tents, and other relief supplies. Other military relief missions will follow.
An initial shipment of relief commodities including rolls of plastic sheeting, blankets and water containers to be airlifted into Pakistan via a chartered commercial aircraft for distribution to victims of the earthquake. In addition to the $100,000 announced yesterday by the US Embassy in Islamabad, USAID/OFDA October 8 in Washington committed $400,000 to be provided through the American Red Cross in response to an anticipated emergency appeal from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.—Agencies