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U.S. helping Pakistan deal with floods

Tue Aug 3, 2010 3:57pm EDT

* U.S. offers initial $10 million in aid

* U.S. says committed to help Pakistan

* Plan to send in additional helicopters (Adds USAID, State Department comment, more details)

WASHINGTON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama expressed condolences to flood-ravaged Pakistan on Tuesday as the United States increased humanitarian aid to help deal with the disaster which has killed more than 1,400 people.

"The president is being kept fully informed on the evolving situation," said Mike Hammer, spokesman for the White House National Security Council.

"Our relationship with Pakistan goes far beyond our shared commitment to fight extremists," said Hammer.

The United States and Pakistan are allies fighting extremists in neighboring Afghanistan but Washington is also keen to show it cares about more than just security concerns.

Pakistan's civilian government has been criticized at home for its response to the disaster, which has ravaged the northwest and displaced more than a million people.

The head of the U.S. Agency for International Development, Rajiv Shah, said the United States had rushed in food, clean water and rescue supplies as part of an initial $10 million pledge for immediate assistance.

"We stand by the people of Pakistan in their time of need and are working with the Pakistani government to learn what assistance we can best provide," said Shah.

The United States has delivered more than 315,000 halal meals from stocks in neighboring Afghanistan and an additional 110,000 meals were expected to be delivered later on Tuesday.

Other assistance included airlifting two mobile water treatment units as well 12 prefabricated bridges and four rescue boats, USAID said.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the defense department had authorized the deployment of four Chinook and two Black Hawk helicopters from Afghanistan but poor weather had so far delayed their arrival.

U.S. helicopters have been used to airlift 733 people to safety, the State Department said, and helped transport tons of food to flood victims.

Americans are also contributing to flood relief for Pakistan by texting the word "SWAT" to the number 50555, said the State Department. Each text results in a $10 donation to the U.N.'s Pakistan Flood Relief Effort to provide tents and emergency aid to displaced families. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Sue Pleming, Editing by Sandra Maler and Alan Elsner)





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