Aid and rescue offers for Japan quake

An international rescue effort to help Japan seek survivors of a massive earthquake and tsunami and address an unfolding nuclear crisis is gathering pace, with around 70 countries offering assistance.



Following is a list of aid offers:UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-- The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan has arrived in Japan to assist relief efforts. More U.S. warships arrived off Japan's coast on Sunday, ramping up relief efforts.-- The U.S. embassy in Tokyo has provided an initial $100,000 in immediate disaster relief assistance, and Washington is ready to provide any additional help requested.-- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has deployed two urban search and rescue teams, comprising some 150 people and around 12 dogs trained to detect survivors.-- A U.S. disaster response team sent to Tokyo includes experts in boiling water nuclear reactors from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.* SOUTH KOREA-- A 102-member South Korean rescue team departed for Japan on Monday aboard three air force C-130 planes. They were bound for Fukushima, where the earthquake-stricken nuclear plant is located. A further 100 rescue workers are on standby to go to Japan. An advance team of five rescue workers and two search dogs have been in Japan since Saturday.* CHINA-- A 15-member rescue team arrived in Japan on Sunday, state news agency Xinhua said, bringing with them four tonnes of equipment for search and rescue operations, including their own power supply and telecommunications.-- The government has donated 30 million yuan ($4.56 million) of relief supplies to Japan, the first batch of which has already left Shanghai, including quilts and tents.-- Premier Wen Jiabao said on Monday Beijing stood willing to offer further help.AUSTRALIA-- Offered self-contained field hospitals and sent disaster victim identification teams, with two military transport aircraft carrying search and rescue teams.* THAILANDFollowing is a list of aid offers:UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-- The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan has arrived in Japan to assist relief efforts. More U.S. warships arrived off Japan's coast on Sunday, ramping up relief efforts.-- The U.S. embassy in Tokyo has provided an initial $100,000 in immediate disaster relief assistance, and Washington is ready to provide any additional help requested.-- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has deployed two urban search and rescue teams, comprising some 150 people and around 12 dogs trained to detect survivors.-- A U.S. disaster response team sent to Tokyo includes experts in boiling water nuclear reactors from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.* SOUTH KOREA-- A 102-member South Korean rescue team departed for Japan on Monday aboard three air force C-130 planes. They were bound for Fukushima, where the earthquake-stricken nuclear plant is located. A further 100 rescue workers are on standby to go to Japan. An advance team of five rescue workers and two search dogs have been in Japan since Saturday.* CHINA-- A 15-member rescue team arrived in Japan on Sunday, state news agency Xinhua said, bringing with them four tonnes of equipment for search and rescue operations, including their own power supply and telecommunications.-- The government has donated 30 million yuan ($4.56 million) of relief supplies to Japan, the first batch of which has already left Shanghai, including quilts and tents.-- Premier Wen Jiabao said on Monday Beijing stood willing to offer further help.AUSTRALIA-- Offered self-contained field hospitals and sent disaster victim identification teams, with two military transport aircraft carrying search and rescue teams.* THAILAND-- It has donated $1 million and 2,500 woolen blankets, and has also offered to send up to 300 soldiers to help with relief efforts, according to the country's Montsame news agency.