UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan Wednesday urged world governments to be forthcoming on the UN's appeal for financial assistance for quake-stricken Pakistan and called on NATO and the Organization of Islamic Conference to provide helicopters and other equipment for the relief efforts.

    "What is needed is an immediate and exceptional escalation of the global relief effort to support the work of the government of Pakistan," Annan told reporters. Enditem