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UN, U.S., India offer help after quake kills 228 in Pakistan

Xinhua, October 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

As Pakistan has been assessing the damages after the Monday's powerful earthquake that killed 228 people, the international community has offered help to deal with the disaster.

Around 1,620 have been injured while 2,520 houses damaged, mostly in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the tribal regions, according to the country's National Disaster Management Authority.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has convened a high level emergency meeting on the earthquake later on Tuesday to review the rescue and relief activities, the PM office said.

Officials said death toll could rise as communication system has been damaged in remote mountainous areas and the pace of receiving information is slow.

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has offered help to Pakistan and neighbor Afghanistan after the earthquake hit parts of both countries, his spokesman has said.

"United Nations agencies are mobilizing and stand ready to support government-led relief operations in both countries, if requested," a statement issued by Stéphane Dujarric in New York said.

"The UN and its humanitarian partners stand ready to support the Pakistani government's ongoing relief effort for the people affected by the earthquake and mobilize any support, if requested," the UN spokesperson said on Monday.

Officials said Pakistan's UN ambassador, Maleeha Lodhi, is likely to briefing relevant UN officials about the situation.

Pakistan has not yet launched any appeal for international aid and the local media has quoted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to meet all requirements through own resources.

The United States says its partners are currently assessing the level of damage and monitoring the situation on the ground in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

State Department spokesperson John Kirby says the United States is ready to provide support to the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan following the devastating earthquake.

"The United States is in touch with governments throughout the region and stands ready, as always, to provide assistance at this difficult time," he said at a daily press briefing on Monday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif hours after the powerful quake shook Pakistan and "offered assistance for earthquake relief," the PM office in Islamabad said. Enditem