Pakistani residents gather next to the rubble of damaged houses following an earthquake in Bajaur on October 26, 2015. (AFP PHOTO)
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- The White House said on Monday that the United States is ready to provide support to Afghanistan and Pakistan after a powerful earthquake struck northeastern Afghanistan.
"The U.S. government has been in touch with the governments in Afghanistan and Pakistan and we stand ready to provide any additional support that may be needed," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said at a daily press briefing.
Earlier on Monday, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan's northeastern region, which also rattled people in Pakistan, India and Tajikistan, killing dozens while damaging buildings.
Pakistani people pray as they gather outside after a severe earthquake in northwest Pakistan's Peshawar, on Oct. 26, 2015. (Xinhua/Umar Qayyum)
Earnest noted that there is a "substantial" U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) presence in the two countries, and a number of "prepositioned" emergency shelter and relief supply kits in Afghan warehouses to better help the victims.
"We offer our deepest condolences to all those who were affected by the earthquake in Afghanistan, including the families of those who died in Afghanistan and in Pakistan," Earnest said.
