Two U.S. ships ferrying several tons of heavy machinery and other earthquake relief equipment and supplies landed in Karachi Monday, according to a U.S. embassy statement. The machinery will be immediately off-loaded to assist victims of devastating October 8 earthquake -- the worst in Pakistan's history. "At this difficult time, the United States stands with the people of Pakistan in their hour of need, just as they stood with us and offered assistance after Hurricane Katrina," said U.S. Consul General Mary Witt. "Our hearts go out to the victims of this terrible tragedy." The U.S Navy vessels USS Northern Lights and the USS Pearl Harbor were diverted from normal operations to urgently load more than 25 dump trucks, front-end loaders, backhoes, cargo trucks, a road grader, a forklift, a generator, and other equipment and supplies. The equipment and supplies represent just a portion of the more than $50 million in disaster relief pledged by the United States. Relief efforts already underway by the United States Agency for International Development, the Department of Defense, and other U.S. federal agencies who have deployed helicopters, medical teams and other technical personnel as well as more than 447 tons of tents, water, blankets, medicines, and other supplies is ongoing. Individual contributions from concerned Americans have already totaled more than $10 million. "The United States and the people of Pakistan share a long and historic friendship. We are honored to be able to assist both a friend and will remain an important ally," Witt said. "In America, we are seeing the reports of thousands dead and millions now suffering and made homeless; we are doing as much as possible to help." The equipment was immediately transferred to the Government of Pakistan for deployment to the most badly affected areas.
