WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States, suffering from heavy death toll and economic losses wrought by Hurricane Katrina, will accept any offers of aid from abroad, the White House said Thursday.

    "We are open to all offers of assistance from other nations, and I would expect we would take people up on offers of assistance when it's necessary," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters.

    Also on Thursday, US President George W. Bush has asked his father, former president George Bush and his predecessor, former president Bill Clinton to lead fundraising efforts for the victimsof Hurricane Katrina.

    The two former presidents, whom Bush put in charge of seeking funds to help the victims of last year's tsunami in Asia, will lead "a similar effort" in response to Katrina, McClellan said.

    An overwhelming crisis continues to unfold in the US Gulf Coastregion as hundreds were feared dead and tens of thousands of houses were destroyed under the wrath of Hurricane Katrina, local reports said. Enditem