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| Updated: 14-Oct-2005 | NATO Press Releases |
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Press Release (2005)123 11 Oct. 2005 |
Statement by the Secretary General
Today, the North Atlantic Council (NAC) approved an air operation to bring supplies from NATO and Partner countries to Pakistan for assistance in the relief effort following the earthquake on 8 October. This decision follows a formal request for assistance by the Government of Pakistan. NATO nations have decided to put in place a strategic air bridge to Pakistan to move urgently required relief assets. The SHAPE Air Movement Coordination Centre, in conjunction with the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC), will coordinate the movement of material and means to Pakistan using strategic airlift offered by nations and NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control (NAEW&C) training aircraft. The Alliance is also preparing to deploy NATO Response Force (NRF) tactical airlift assets to help centralise relief supplies from donor nations to the AWACs airbase at Geilenkirchen , Germany , should this be required. The Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre, working in conjunction with UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), will coordinate all offers from NATO and Partner nations indicating the intent to use NATO’s lift assistance. The EADRCC has established and is maintaining contact with all NATO and Partner nations, as well as with a dedicated Point of Contact in the Embassy of Pakistan. NATO will closely coordinate its support with the UN, the EU and other international organisations and nations in accordance with established procedures. This action represents the initial response by the Alliance . The North Atlantic Council also agreed today 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. |
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