Friday, November 4 2005 10:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: The US has increased its aid to quake victims in Pakistan to over USD 150 million and vowed to continue its support in the long-term process of rebuilding and bringing economic stability to the affected areas.

Washington recently added USD 50 million to the 106 million already allocated or spent for relief, reconstruction and airlifts, said Anthony Wayne, US Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs.

"While our focus is on keeping people warm and healthy and getting them shelter again, we're at the same time preparing for after the winter, when we can really start rebuilding," Wayne said.

He said the US was committed to stand beside Pakistan at this time of tragedy and in the long run "as they are rebuilding their economy up and trying to create prosperity and stability over the longer term".

The World Bank, Asian Development Bank and UN Development Programme are out in the field assessing the region's reconstruction needs and will be presenting their findings at a donor's conference in mid-November. The US will participate in this conference.

US Agency for International Development (USAID) has said that the recovery and reconstruction efforts will go on for several more months and that given the onset of winter this was going to be a 'tricky operation'.

"This is going to be a continuum of relief, recovery and reconstruction happening simultaneously. It's a tricky operation but we need to do that throughout the winter to make sure that people have a great chance of survival," USAID Assistant Administrator Michael Hess said.

Brigr Gen Carter Ham said US choppers delivered 1700 tonnes of relief supplies.