President Bush said Monday that the United States is "ready to help in any way possible" following the earthquake that struck China, killing thousands.
A top U.S. aid official said Beijing had not yet requested assistance.
The United States has search-and-rescue teams on standby in Virginia and California, said Ky Luu, the director of foreign disaster assistance for the U.S. Agency for International Development. Washington is also prepared to send a disaster assistance response team if requested, he said.
However, the fastest way to provide help would be through funding, he added.