In their shock over the effects of Hurricane Katrina, Americans may not have appreciated how generous more than 70 countries were in offering aid and support for reconstruction of the Gulf Coast. Some of that help has usefully arrived; a lot remains merely pledged. While this nation can be grateful for the gifts, it cannot help but notice that Pakistan, barely recovered from an earthquake Oct. 8 and bracing for winter, has not received nearly as many donations nor has it the resources of the U.S. government.

Congress could help redirect much of the international support from New Orleans to Kashmir, thereby saving many lives without materially harming the repair in this nation.

Many nations pledged aid to the United States from $20,000 to millions (Qatar alone pledge $100 million); others have offered equipment and necessities. Ireland, for instance, offered meals, tents, blankets and first aid kits among other supplies. Japan pledged similar supplies depending on need in the United States. Italy offered the use of two cargo jets in addition to emergency supplies. Romania offered two teams of medical experts, as, for that matter, did Pakistan. Many of the nations that offered the United States help also offered a hand to Pakistan, but not nearly enough. An estimated 53,000 people have been killed there from the earthquake; many times that number are at risk in the coming weeks as winter arrives and approximately 3 million remain homeless.

The United Nations has so far been able to raise about $300 million for Pakistan – about half from Turkey. The United States has pledged $50 million. The immediate need, however, is $550 million. Without taking another nickel from the U.S. Treasury the United States could donate some of the aid it has been offered to meet the desperate need in Pakistan. Cuba and Venezuela, which may have thought its offers of help never would be accepted by the United States could do more than score political points by adding aid to Pakistan; other nations that see the demands from natural disasters are being given priority may be inspired to give even more.

Congress and the White House have approved more than $60 billion so far to help the Gulf Coast recover. The international donations to the United States amount to only a small fraction of that amount, but could make a huge difference in Pakistan. Whatever remains undelivered but still pledged could be quickly accounted for by Congress and passed along to a more needy country with the agreement of the donor nation. The key is to act quickly.