U.S. starts Pakistan quake reconstruction aid

As Reuters reports, U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns signed an agreement with Pakistani officials for the provision of the grant over four years.

More than 74,000 people were killed and about 3 million made homeless by the deadly quake, one of the worst disasters in Pakistan's 57-year history.

The $200 million grant, $15 million of which was paid over on Saturday, is part of a total $510 million pledged by Washington for relief and reconstruction in quake-hit areas.

Burns said U.S. relief support had arrived in Pakistan within hours of the earthquake. He said the grant assistance would be used to rebuild schools and hospitals.

"This immediate response is a reflection of the cooperative relationship that has developed between our two countries over the years and which we are committed to continuing to expand," Burns said in a statement after signing the agreement.

He met Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, an ally in the U.S.-led war on terrorism, who thanked the U.S. for its help.

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney visited Pakistan last month to see first-hand the devastation caused by the disaster.

Former U.S. President George Bush also visited Pakistan this month as a United Nations earthquake envoy. He said his role would be to encourage those who have pledged relief and reconstruction aid to deliver.

International donors have pledged about $6.4 billion in aid to Pakistan, mostly earmarked for long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction.