President George W. Bush on Wednesday announced that a US presidential delegation will visit Pakistan soon, to assess the damage caused by the massive earthquake of October 8.
The delegation, on its return, would apprise the US citizens - and involve them in mustering more support for continuing relief assistance.
He said this in a statement he read out at the Oval Office, in the presence of the five CEOs who are part of the US president's private partnership initiative in respect of response to the US assistance for South Asia earthquake victims.
Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca would also be part of the presidential delegation, sources said.
Pakistan Ambassador Jehangir Karamat was also present at the special event, besides high US officials, including Under-secretary heading Public Diplomacy, Karen Hughes. Moin Qureshi, a noted technocrat and a former Pakistan prime minister was also present on the occasion.
President Bush said, "one month ago, Pakistani nation suffered its worst natural disaster in a century when a massive earthquake struck north-east of the capital city of Islamabad."
"The human toll is staggering."
"This disaster has taken the lives of more than 70,000 Pakistanis. It has injured almost 70,000 more, and left nearly 3 million people without their homes."
"In India, the earthquake killed more than a thousand people and injured over 6,000 others."
He said, as "the harsh mountain winter" approaches, "millions of people in these affected areas will need food, water, shelter and medical care."
"They will also need long-term help to get their lives and communities back on their feet. Once again, the world is called to comfort those affected by this terrible natural catastrophe. People across our country pray for the people in Southeast Asia. And people in our country are willing to help, as well."
Bush said, the United States is playing "a leading role" in the relief and recovery efforts, "in co-operation with the government of Pakistan."
"We've already made $156 million available for relief and reconstruction needs. We've provided food, water, blankets, tents and medical care. We had disaster response personnel on the ground to assess needs and offer assistance."
"Our military is playing a key role, as well. A Navy construction battalion is helping to clear roads, and solve other engineering challenges. Our helicopters have flown over a thousand missions to deliver aid to isolated areas.
"And they have transported thousands of people to places where they can receive medical treatment and shelter.
"We've also got a military hospital now operating in Pakistan," he added.
The US President said, "I'm grateful to the men and women in uniform or the noble work they are doing. And they represent the best of America, the generous spirit of our country. Our government's response to this tragedy is should say to the people of the world, we care when somebody else suffers."
Bush said last month, he had announced that five distinguished American business leaders would work to encourage private and corporate contributions to help those affected by the natural disaster.
"Some of them," he disclosed would be "going over to Pakistan, along with Ambassador Hughes and others, to assess the situation as a part of a presidential delegation."
"When they come home from Pakistan, they're going to travel our country to rally our citizens to help the victims of this disaster."
He asked all US citizens and businesses "to contribute generously to this cause."
"The international response to this disaster has been generous, but the needs are still great. And so I also urge other governments, peoples in other lands, to do whatever they can do to help."
I know that nothing can take the grief away of those whose lives have been affected. But I also hope the people who have been affected by natural disasters know that there's a lot of people that care for them, there's a lot of people who want to help."
"As families across Southeast Asia begin to rebuild their lives, we offer our sustained compassion, our prayers and our assistance."
Bush offered his "assurance" that "America will continue to be there to help."
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