United States President George W Bush has called upon Americans to contribute generously for relief for victims of the October 8 earthquake that struck India and Pakistan.
Speaking of the US relief efforts, he said, "The United States is playing a leading role in the relief and recovery efforts. We've already given $156 million to Pakistan for relief and reconstruction needs. We've provided food, water, blankets, tents and medical care.".
"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. We've also got a military hospital now operating in Pakistan. We should say to the people of the world, we care when somebody else suffers.
"Last month I announced that five distinguished American business leaders would work to encourage private and corporate contributions to help those affected by the natural disasters in Southeast Asia. Jeff Immelt (GE chairman), Jim Kelly, Hank McKinnell (Pfizer's Chief Executive Officer) and Sandy Weill (Citibank's CEO) are with us today, and I want to thank you all for being here. Anne Mulcahy of Xerox is not here, but she's a part of the team. I want to thank them very much for their willingness to serve, and some of them will be going over to Pakistan to assess the situation. When they come home they're going to travel our country to rally our citizens to help the victims of this disaster," he said.
"I ask all of our 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," he said.
"As families across Southeast Asia begin to rebuild their lives, we offer our sustained compassion, our prayers and our assistance. And we offer you our assurance that America will continue to be there to help," the President promised.