Fogo, Cape Verde 24 June 2006

Day 4 Daily report by Evert Somer, civil emergency expert from NATO External link Website of Exercise "Steadfast Jaguar 2006" Multimedia 25 Jun. 2006 - NATO Audio file of the daily audio diary .MP3/625Kb News 21 Jun. 06 - NATO Inferno threat in exercise scenario Saturday, the preparations for the focal part of the NATO Response Force Exercise Steadfast Jaguar 2006 continued. The civil protection organization of Cape Verde, the local authorities of the island and the civil emergency support unit ofthe NATO Response Force continued with the preparation of the evacuation of the inhabitants of the Caldeiras. During these preparations, it became clear that some shortfall do exist particularly in the field of transport and tent capacity. Cape Verdean authorities therefore have asked the commander of the NATO Response Force to provide some additional tents, a power generator, and extra manpower to set up the tent camps. Exercise data received from the project team on geological vigilance of the Fogo Islands indicated that the seismic events are of a longer periodicity and that the tremors became harmonic, more numerous and of a longer duration. Also the inclinations show variations that are no longer routine. All these indications give concern to the Cape Verdean authorities. And during the day it has been decided that the evacuation will start on Sunday. All tourists that were in the Caldeiras have now been accounted for. And as an extra measure, police will now control access to the Caldeiras so that only those who need access to the area can go in. Saturday evening we received a confirmation that a NATO Response Force will provide the requested assistance and will arrive on Sunday.