The Japanese government on Monday dispatched a disaster relief team to carry out rescue work in Pakistan, which was struck by a major earthquake last Saturday.

The 21-member medical team, including doctors, nurses and pharmacists, will operate in devastated areas for about two weeks.

"We have been informed that hospitals were completely destroyed. We must be prepared for some tough work," Tatsuro Kai, head of the team, said prior to departure.

On Sunday, Japan sent a 49-member emergency rescue team formed by rescue experts from firefighting, police and coast guard organizations.

Meanwhile, the Japan Red Cross Society separately dispatched an advance medical team to Islamabad, and has decided to extend 15 million yen (136,000 US dollars) in aid to Pakistan.

So far, the United States, China, Britain, Germany, Turkey, Japan, the United Nations and non-governmental humanitarian groups have sent rescue teams and marshaled resources to help the region where the death toll has topped over 30,000.

Source: Xinhua