The United Nations is ready to help countries affected by Pakistan earthquake, UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan said Saturday.

In a statement issued by a UN spokesman, Annan said he is deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction caused by the earthquake that hit Pakistan, with impact extending into India and Afghanistan on Saturday morning, and extends his sincere condolences to all the victims and their families.

"The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ( OCHA) is in contact with the governments of Afghanistan, India and Pakistan to explore ways in which the United Nations can assist in all efforts required to support relief and rescue operations and in subsequent recovery and reconstruction," the statement said.

Meanwhile, Jan Egeland, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, announced that OCHA stands ready to dispatch an UN Disaster and Coordination Team (UNDAC) to help assess the damage and coordinate the response in Pakistan.

Source: Xinhua