U.S. says it's ready to provide quake help to Middle East

Tuesday, October 27, 2015, 10:31 -

(Reuters) - The United States stands ready to provide support to the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan after a major earthquake struck the remote Afghan northeast on Monday, the White House said. 

"The U.S. government has been in touch with the governments in Afghanistan and Pakistan and we stand ready to provide any additional support that may be needed," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told a briefing.

"There is a substantial USIA (U.S. Agency for International Development) presence in both of these countries to try to assist their needs," Earnest added. "And there are a number of pre-positioned emergency shelter and relief supply kits in warehouses throughout Afghanistan."

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday urged his countrymen to help those in need, after a massive earthquake hit the region killing hundreds.

"Today's earthquake martyred some of our countrymen and caused injury to some other people in various provinces of Afghanistan. The center of the earthquake was Badakhshan province but it was widespread and affected Uzbekistan, India and Iran. 

The initial report shows the center of the earthquake was in Badakhshan, Kunar, Nuristan and some districts in Nangarhar province," Ghani said.

"I demand all Afghans, my fellow countrymen, to help each other if they are in the affected areas. Also I ask every Afghan to provide accurate information on the casualties and damages so we can start managing help for those who need it." 

Rescuers on Tuesday rushed to deliver relief aid to victims of a massive earthquake that hit northern Afghanistan and Pakistan, killing at least 275 people over a wide swath of mostly mountainous terrain.

In Afghanistan, where rescue and relief work is likely to be complicated by security threats created by an escalating Taliban insurgency, more than 50 people were reported dead in several provinces including Badakhshan, where hundreds were killed in mudslides last year.

Hundreds of houses were destroyed, creating additional hardship with winter temperatures setting in. 

The death toll could climb in coming days because communications were down in much of the rugged Hindu Kush mountain range where the quake was centered. 

In Pakistan, 228 people were confirmed dead.

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/us/news/articles/extreme-weather/death-toll-mounts-after-major-south-asia-earthquake/58991/