Pakistan, which is dealing with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake,
has taken up a Czech offer of humanitarian aid. A spokesman for the Foreign
Ministry said a special plane carrying a fifteen-member medical team would
be ready to leave the Czech Republic around mid-day on Wednesday. The
doctors and nurses are expected to join one of the field hospitals already
working in the region. The plane will be loaded with sleeping bags,
surgical equipment, medicine, food, and items for disinfection and water
purification.