German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Thursday offered to help the United States to overcome the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

"Germany is ready to offer water treatment facilities and transportable shelters.... Our American friend should know we are firmly at their side," Schroeder said in a statement.

Earlier, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer offered similar readiness.

"The German government is ready to give any help or support to bring this terrible natural disaster and its consequences under control," Fischer said in a statement.

The foreign minister also said that German embassy in Washington was in constant contact with US State Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency of German Foreign Ministry about possible aid.

Reports said Katrina, one of the most severe hurricanes in US history, caused an estimated 25 billion US dollars in economic losses and affecting some five million people.

It was estimated that hundreds of people have died in the catastrophe with Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama as the hardest hit.

Source: Xinhua