US pledges full support for quake rehabilitation
Bureau Report

MUZAFFARABAD—US ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C Crocker has said that US government will provide every possible assistance to Pakistan for the rehabilitation of quake-affectees. ‘US and its masses are along with Pakistan in this critical moment and will take every possible step for the rehabilitation of quake-ravaged areas, Mr Crocker told media men while inspecting American Military Hospital here on Friday. He said earthquake in Pakistan was disastrous than Tsunami that caused loss of lives and property on great scale. He said that US has established an hospital here in one-day to treat earthquake victims. 200 US task force, 130 engineers and technical staff are working day and night for the hospital, Mr Crocker said. He said that 21 doctors and 28 nurses are making arrangements for treatment in the hospital.
90 patients are being treated in the hospital, out of which surgery six patients have been completed, ambassador added. He said that 21 US helicopters will soon arrive Pakistan for participating in relief activities in Neelum Valley and outer and rural areas of Jhelum Valley. Earlier AJK Chief Secretary Kashif Murtaza briefed US ambassador about the devastation caused by catastrophic earthquake and rehabilitation activities after natural disaster. He told Mr Crocker that 43,000 people killed and 33,000 persons got injuries in earthquake.
Secretary said construction work for restoring and repairing damaged Neelum and Jehlum Valley roads are underway. He also thanked US government for helping Pakistan after the earthquake. US ambassador also took ariel view of quake stricken areas of Neelum, Jehlum Valley, Bagh and Rawalakot.
APP adds: The United States Ambassador, Ryan C Crocker on Friday said that US Government would not leave Pakistan alone in this difficult time and would extend maximum assistance for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of quake-hit areas. Ambassador Crocker said this while talking to mediamen during his visit to the American Military Hospital which has been established in Muzaffarabad district for wounded. He described the Oct 8 earthquake as bigger than Tsunami in terms of devastation of infrastructure and property. He said the US government would provide all assistance for the early rehabilitation of the affected people of Azad Kashmir and NWFP.
He said the US hospital have 379 personnel including engineers, physicians, nurses and troops were providing assistance to the affected people of the area. As many as 90 patients have been admitted so far in the hospital, he said an American medical staff is providing the facility of surgery to the quake injured. Similarly, he said US engineering troops were also engaged in removing debris and rubble from the roads while 21 US helicopters were engaged in the relief and rescue work, he added. To a question, Crocker said that US troops will stay in AJK for the assistance of quake affected people.
Later, the AJK Chief Secretary briefed the US Ambassador about the colossal loss to life and property caused by the devastating earthquake in Azad Jammu and Kashmir area. However, he said that AJK government was working relentlessly and had cleared most of the roads that were closed due to land sliding in the quake affected areas. He appreciated US troops role in quake-hit areas and thanked the US Government for her timely assistance at this time of natural tragedy. American Ambassador took aerial view of the affected areas of AJK including Neelum Valley, Jhelum Valley, Bagh and Rawalakot.