While Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Sunday called for international assistance in the aftermath of a major earthquake, countries across the world rushed aid and relief to the earthquake victims in three South Asian countries.

"We do seek international assistance, we have enough manpower but we need financial support so that we may utilize in a required way to cope with the tragedy," Musharraf said.

He also said that there is a need for large supplies of medicines, tents and cargo helicopters to reach out to the people in far-flung and cut-off areas.

On Sunday, a Chinese rescue team was sent to quake-devastated Pakistan with search dogs and 17 tons of equipment. The 49-member team also includes rescue personnel, medical staff and seismological experts.

Australia said on Sunday that Australia has provided 500,000 Australian dollars (380,000 US dollars) in immediate medical and relief assistance to the earthquake-hit South Asian countries. The money will be channeled through the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Australian Parliamentary Security for Foreign Affairs Bruce Billson said in a statement on Sunday.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry said that Tokyo had sent a 50-strong emergency relief team to the Islamic republic. The team, formed by disaster rescue experts from firefighting, police and coast guard organizations, included police, disaster management and coast guard specialists. They will be engaged in search and rescue operations as well as information gathering.

The Japanese Red Cross was also sending four medical specialists to Islamabad as an advance team to investigate the extent of the damage caused by the quake, which measured 7.6 on the Richter scale.

The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Chairman Nordin Abdul Razak said the society will send a team to Pakistan to assist earthquake victims. The 12-member team, consisting of four doctors and eight relief workers, is expected to leave for Pakistan late Sunday.

In Britain, the government said it was sending an initial allocation of 100,000 pounds (176,000 US dollars) to Pakistani authorities.

Search and rescue teams from four firefighting forces across Britain were also headed to the region and Defense Secretary John Reid said British troops in Afghanistan were "ready to assist if required."

Meanwhile, the European Union said it had set aside three million euros (3.6 million US dollars) for the relief effort.

France was sending sniffer dogs and cutting gear, while the Irish government said it would provide 1 million euros to the relief effort.

The United States was also swift to offer help. US President George W. Bush said Washington was already mobilizing teams of experts to help earthquake-hit victims in South Asia and was sending eight helicopters along with relief supplies to Pakistan to help the earthquake victims. It also made available 100,000 dollars in immediate emergency aid.

Turkey has sent four planes to Pakistan��s quake-stricken region, carrying rescue workers and medical personnel, transport vehicles, ambulances, sniffer dogs and aid equipment, medicine and foodstuff. Turkish Red Crescent has also sent foodstuff, baby food and body bags to Pakistan. Aid group Lighthouse Association has sent an urgent humanitarian aid worth 100,000 US dollars to the quake-stricken region.

Bangladesh is ready to help three South Asian countries hit by the strong earthquake too. Director General of the External Publicity Wing of the Foreign Ministry Zahirul Haque said "Bangladesh is ready to offer rescue and relief operations at calls from the earthquake-hit countries after implementing initial estimate on the losses caused by the disaster."

Israel has expressed desire to help quake-stricken Pakistan. Israel has sent a message to Pakistan through "official channels" and the United Nations, said a senior government official. Pakistan has yet to respond to the offer.

By People's Daily Online