Washington DC (BBN) – The United States is rushing helicopters, boats, bridges, water units and other supplies to flood-hit Pakistan as part of an initial US$10 million aid pledge.
“We have made an initial commitment of $10 million in aid and are rushing helicopters, boats, pre-fabricated bridges, mobile water treatment units, and emergency food supplies to meet Pakistan’s growing humanitarian needs,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement on Sunday.
Clinton also said the Pakistani people are friends and partners, and the United States is standing with them as the tragic human toll mounts from flooding in northwest Pakistan. 
At least 1100 people have been killed by monsoon rains, flash floods and landslides in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and at least another 47 have died in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, according to the Pakistani officials. 
More than 1.5 million people have been affected, with thousands of homes and vast areas of farmland destroyed in a region of Pakistan reeling from years of extremist bloodshed.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost loved ones or have been displaced from their homes — and we are taking action to help,” Clinton said, adding: “Our embassy in Islamabad is coordinating closely with Pakistani authorities to support rescue and relief efforts.”
 
BBN/SS/SI/AD-02Aug10-11:13 am (BST)