The United States has pledged an initial amount of up to 50 million dollars for relief and rescue work in Pakistan, besides rushing other relief materials, including special aircraft to airlift victims, and reach food and blankets to the affected areas.

An initial aid of 50 million dollars would be provided to Pakistan, presidential press secretary Scott McClellan said in
a statement late yesterday.

Complete coverage: Tremors across borders

A C-17 US military aircraft containing blankets and winterized tents and an initial dispatch of 250 rolls of plastic sheeting -- sufficient for nearly 2,500 families -- is scheduled to reach Islamabad today, he said.

Another C-17 and two C-130s will reach Pakistan tomorrow with essential supplies in the face of the calamity that
killed and injured thousands in the subcontinent on October 8.

'The destruction and loss of life in Pakistan is massive and the US is responding rapidly and robustly in response to
the request of President Pervez Musharraf [Images] and the government of Pakistan,' McClellan said.

The US-led coalition in Afghanistan is also dispatching five Chinook heavy-lift helicopters and three Blackhawks
along with support staff to Islamabad, he said.

Additional capabilities for damage assessment, medical support are being identified and dispatched to the affected
areas.