U.S. President George W. Bush signed on Friday a book of condolences for Pakistani earthquake victims and offered humanitarian aid in response to the disaster. "Pakistan is a friend, and America will help," Bush told Ambassador Jehangir Karamat in a brief ceremony at Pakistan's embassy in Washington. "There's been a lot of damage, and we want to help in any way we can." "I'm here to express the condolences of the American people to those who suffered mightily as a result of the earthquake that struck your country. There's been a lot of loss of life, and Americans pray for those families who have lost a loved one," Bush told Karamat. "We've moved a lot of military equipment in there. We're helping with humanitarian aid. So not only will we offer our prayers, but we'll … help the people and help the government, help this great nation get back on its feet," Bush said. Last Saturday's 7.6 magnitude earthquake killed more than 25,000 people, and an estimated 2.5 million homeless people are facing a seventh consecutive night exposed to cold and hunger.
