China, US sending response and rescue teams to quake-hit Nepal

Rescue and response teams from China and the United States are expected to arrive in Nepal capital shortly to assist in the ongoing relief and rehabilitation operations in earthquake-hit Nepal.

Taking to Twitter, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said that it was working with the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) to send disaster response and rescue teams to Nepal, which was struck by an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the open-ended Richter Scale on Saturday.

According to reports, USAID has also authorized the release of an initial amount of a million dollars as aid for the families of those victims who have been killed or injured in the monumental tragedy.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was quoted, as saying that Washington is on standby to provide further emergency assistance, including extra funding.

This view was also echoed by U.S. National Security Council Spokesperson Bernadette Meehan through a statement on Saturday.

In a related development, the Government of China has airlifted a 62-member search and rescue team on Sunday morning to undertake humanitarian operations in Nepal.

Reports said that the rescue team is also being accompanied by six sniffer dogs, besides rescue and medical equipment.

The team from China is expected to land in Kathmandu around midday, reports quoted representatives of the China Earthquake Administration, as saying.

A total of 40 Chinese rescue members, 10 medical workers and 12 seismologists are expected in the Nepal capital. A number of them are said to be well versed with international rescue missions.

The earthquake, which has its epicenter 80-kilometres from Pokhara, has reportedly claimed over 1800 lives, and left many others injured.