17 Nov. 2005

Top disaster relief officials meet at NATO Multimedia 17/11/05 High resolution photos from the opening of the meeting NATO’s assistance to relief operations following Hurricane Katrina and the Pakistan earthquake as well as protection from terrorist attacks was the focus of a meeting of civil emergency officials at NATO HQ, 17-18 November. The Autumn plenary meeting of the Senior Civil Emergency Planning Committee brought together the heads of civil emergency planning organisations from the 46 NATO and partner country capitals and was opened by NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. Lessons from Katrina and Pakistan NATO’s involvement in the relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina in the US and the 8 October earthquake in Pakistan provided a vivid backdrop for the discussions. The crucial role of NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre was highlighted, not only in coordinating requests and offers for assistance from NATO and partner countries, but also as a clearing-house and liaison mechanism between donors, NATO military authorities and other international organisations. Also, attention focused on the support that the military can provide to civilian disaster response efforts. Participants agreed to further enhance civil-military cooperation in this area taking into account the lessons learned from the Katrina and Pakistan operations. Threat of chemical attacks Nations also exchanged views on how to better protect civilian populations from terrorist attacks, focusing in particular on the Civil Emergency Planning Action Plan for the Improvement of Civil Preparedness for possible terrorist attacks with chemical, biological or nuclear agents. Progress in protecting critical infrastructure and procedures for first-response emergency teams was noted. The meeting also confirmed civil emergency planning as a key area of co-operation between NATO and its partner countries. Ideas for enhanced practical cooperation with Mediterranean Dialogue countries and with countries participating in the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative were discussed.