Aid bridge to Pakistan reinforced
NATO is now delivering urgently-needed supplies to Pakistan via two air bridges, from Germany and from Turkey , delivering several tons of supplies each day as temperatures drop and millions of people remain without shelter.
NATO is now delivering urgently-needed supplies to Pakistan via two air bridges, from Germany and from Turkey, delivering several tons of supplies each day as temperatures drop and millions of people remain without shelter.
The first air bridge, from NATO’s AWACS base in Geilenkirchen, Germany, is being used to move relief supplies donated by NATO member and partner countries.
Since the first shipment on October 13, two other flights have delivered thousands of blankets, hundreds of tents, sleeping bags, winter jackets, as well as a camp which will be used for food distribution by the World Food Program.
A race against time
On 19 October, NATO opened a second air bridge from Incirlik, Turkey, to deliver large quantities of tents, blankets and stoves donated by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The first flight, a C-130 from the United Kingdom, arrived in Islamabad the same day, carrying 9 tons of tents and blankets.
Additional C-130 cargo aircraft from France, Greece, Italy and the United Kingdom have been deployed to Incirli, with more due to arrive.
These next flights will begin to arrive in Islamabad on 20 October.
“NATO is providing this aid at the direct request of the Pakistani government. And the urgency of a quick and substantial response is clear to anyone who has seen the terrible images coming from the affected areas,” explained NATO Spokesman James Appathurai.
Pakistan has raised its estimate of the death toll from the 8 October earthquake to nearly 48,000.
This action represents the initial response by the Alliance. NATO has agreed to examine the potential requirement for follow-on stages of support to Pakistan, which could include use of sealift and possible deployment of specific NRF military assets and capabilities, for example to transport rescue and transport helicopters, shelter items, medical equipment and medications.
NATO has based a liaison team from Joint Headquarters Lisbon in Islamabad to facilitate the co-ordination of flights with the Pakistani authorities, as well as a high-level NATO official, Deputy Assistant Secretary General Maurits Jochems, to liaise with local officials on NATO support.