US Congressmen arrived here last week to see for themselves the destruction caused by the October 8 earthquake and to pitch in with the relief effort.
Representatives Jim Kolbe (Arizona), Mark Kirk (Illinois), and Fred Upton (Michigan) handed out blankets in Miani Bandi village as US sailors continued their work with the residents to rebuild the earthquake-damaged site as part of Pakistan military's 'Adopt-A-Village' program.
Later in the week, members of the United States House of Representatives Dan Burton (Rep-IN), Sheila Jackson-Lee (Dem-TX), Joe Wilson (Rep-SC), Steven Pearce (Rep-NM), Al Green (Dem-TX) Carolyn McCarthy (Dem-NY) and Loretta Sanchez (Dem-CA) visited the Mehra 'tent camp' in the Allai Valley, bringing winter hats for children in the camp and assuring local village elders of continued US commitment to and support for victims still struggling to recover from the earthquake effects, says a press release.
The US private sector also continues to meet its commitments to the people of Pakistan. The American company, UPS (United Parcel Service), announced a $2 million donation to support relief and recovery efforts, which will include $1 million in cash and up to $1 million of in-kind services for the shipment of medical and health-related items to the region.
Medical supplies remain vital to relief efforts, as the US military field hospital in Shinkiari has treated over 2,400 patients to date. The US Marines and sailors, deployed to Shinkiari in the heart of the earthquake zone, from their base in Japan began seeing patients on November 17. The hospital has an operating room, X-ray capability, laboratory, pharmacy, and 60 beds for in-patient care.