Related: Quake toll in Pakistan approaching 40,000

    CANBERRA, Oct. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Monday that Australia will send an expert mission to help Pakistan assess damage to critical infrastructure and to plan for the future in the wake of the devastating earthquakes, which have killed at least 38,000 people.

    The five-person Critical Infrastructure Assessment Mission led by the Australian government's overseas aid agency AusAID, will leave for Pakistan Tuesday.

    Team members include four engineers from around the country, supplied by RedR Australia (Registered Engineers for Disaster Relief).

    "The two-week Mission will assess damage to hospitals, schools, and water supply in the earthquake-affected provinces," Downer said in a statement.

    "It will report to both Governments on the extent of the damageand options and priorities for reconstruction," he said.

    It will also assist the Pakistani government to plan for the phases following relief including the transition from tents to intermediate housing and longer term reconstruction, Downer said.

    The team is in addition to the 10 million Australian dollars (7.6 million US dollars) Australia has already provided for immediate medical, food and shelter assistance for the quake-devastated South Asian nations. Enditem