NATO naval vessels from Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and the United States rescued two Yemeni servicemen following the eruption of a volcano on the Yemeni Island of Jazirat at Ta’ir.
Vessels from the Standing NATO Maritime Force 1, 80km to the North, moved to provide support in coordination with the Yemeni Coastguard.
NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer stated Monday, "I am pleased that NATO forces were able to assist the Yemeni authorities in responding to this natural disaster. While this is not NATO's primary vocation, the Standing Maritime Force 1 responded rapidly and appropriately to try to limit the human cost of this volcanic eruption."
Please see the attached Press Release and photographs from Standing NATO Maritime Force 1 for more detail. For further information, please contact :
Staff Public Affairs Officer (SPAO)
Ensign Matthew A. Goetz, USN
Email: goetzma@ddg96.navy.mil
Interviews may be arranged by contacting
Ensign Goetz at +1 757 443-8704
Tel: +32 (0)2 707 50 41 - Fax: +32 (0)2 707 50 57
press@hq.nato.int - http://www.nato.int