"The recent earthquake which rocked northern areas of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir has shocked all of us and we can not leave Pakistan government in lurch. US has provided donations and more to follow," he said while talking to newsmen after attending certificates distribution ceremony organised by an NGO working on AIDS control project here on Wednesday.
When asked US could arrange only eight helicopters to help Pakistani authorities at the time of disaster, since it already had forces in Afghanistan, Crocker said though a short number of helicopters were provided but in later stage US provided over 20 choppers along with edibles and other necessary items.
US Ambassador said teams of pilots and doctors were working in quake-hit areas and there was no time frame for their departure from Pakistan.
"The tragedy is so big and years are required to rehabilitate the displaced families," the Ambassador said.
Crocker said NGOs in Pakistan were actively working on Aids control programme. He recalled that even in America, government could start control AIDS projects a little late and these were the NGOs that forced government to initiate such programmes.
He said US was providing more than $1.5 billion in assistance to Pakistan. "USAID supported the preventive activities regarding HIV and Aids through Family Health International to disseminate information and knowledge about HIV and Aids issues in Pakistan," he said.
Earlier, speaking to a gathering of people living with HIV positive and Aids, Ambassador Crocker praised the work of New Light in advocating for better care and treatment of people living with HIV and Aids and encouraged HIV-positive New Light Society members to continue their self-help efforts.
"The US Government and USAID places a high priority on supporting people living with HIV and Aids and on preventing further spread of this virus". Brian Heath, US Consulate; Dr Qadeer Ahsan, Programme Management Specialists (USAID) and Dr Ali Razzaq, Provincial Manager, Punjab AIDS Control Programme was also present.