President Bush has offered Americans' deepest sympathies for the loss of life caused by the South Asian earthquake Saturday.
In a statement, Mr. Bush said initial deployments of American aid are underway, and that the United States stands ready to provide more help as needed.
The U.S. ambassador to Pakistan, Ryan Crocker, has said Washington will provide 100-thousand dollars in emergency relief funds.
He said the U.S. military has offered supplies and assistance to its Pakistani counterpart, and that a joint U.S.-Pakistani program (the Ministry of Interior Air Wing) will provide helicopters for the rescue effort.
President Bush considers Pakistan's leader Pervez Musharraf a key ally in the U.S.-led war on terror. Pakistan was also one of many countries that offered assistance to help the United States deal with Hurricane Katrina.