ISLAMABAD, Oct. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- The World Bank provided Pakistan with an amount of 20 million U.S. dollars for earthquake reconstruction to help Pakistan manage the damage to infrastructure and livelihoods of its people suffered during Saturday's earthquake.

    This amount will be made available immediately by reallocating resources from existing projects, according to a World Bank press release here Sunday. Additional resources of this or greater magnitude can be made available as damage assessment is carried out and requested by the government.

    "The World Bank stands ready to lend support in rebuilding the lives devastated by this natural calamity", said John Wall, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan. "Certainly the first need of the hour is for relief measures, and reconstruction efforts by agencies like the World Bank can follow. The need for immediate cash grants for relief is paramount, but planning for reconstruction of infrastructure and recovery of people's lives also needs to start immediately and go hand in hand with relief."

    In the immediate term, the World Bank assistance will mainly bespent on reconstruction of roads, schools, restoration of water supply and health facilities in the affected areas. The medium tolong term efforts will be guided by more detailed needs assessment.

    Recent earthquake and tsunami incidents in the region provide sufficient evidence that coordination and team work among all partners engaged in disaster management plays a crucial role in achieving fast and credible results for the affected communities. Enditem