Donors have pledged US$5.4 billion (¤4.6 billion) in quake aid to Pakistan, surpassing the amount sought by the government for relief and reconstruction, the prime minister said Saturday. Pakistan had hoped to get US$5.2 billion (¤4.4 billion) for rebuilding from the Oct. 8 quake, which killed 86,000 people in Pakistani territory and another 1,350 in neighboring India. International development and lending agencies and about 50 nations attended a donor conference Saturday in Islamabad, raising US$3 billion (¤2.6 billion) on top of US$2.4 billion (¤2.0 billion) pledged earlier, according to a report of the Associated Press. "The rough total we have as of now is US$5.4 billion," Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told delegates. "We are really touched by your generosity, by your feeling of sharing our grief." "Everything will go, each and every cent we receive and goods ... for the earthquake-affected areas," Aziz said. "We in the government are committed to total transparency, total accountability." Among the key donor nations, the United States offered US$510 million (¤436 million), nearly tripling an earlier pledge. Saudi Arabia offered US$473 million (¤405 million) and China US$300 million (¤256.9 million). Of the major international lending and development institutions, the Asian Development Bank pledged about US$1 billion (¤860 million), the World Bank another US$1 billion (¤860 million) and Islamic Development Bank US$501 million (¤429 million). The United States said that it would stand by Pakistan, a key ally in the war on terror, during its hour of need. "The U.S. pledges today our continuing support to our friend and ally, Pakistan," USAID chief Andrew Natsios said. He said it was America's turn to give, following the generosity of the international community in helping the United States recover from hurricanes Katrina and Rita earlier this year. Washington has also sent 1,200 troops, 24 helicopters, heavy equipment and two mobile hospitals to the quake zone.
