In response to a request by the Government of Pakistan, the North Atlantic Council decided today to provide airlift and sealift for the delivery of aid donated by nations and humanitarian relief organizations.
A NATO aircraft will conduct a humanitarian relief mission to Pakistan on Sunday 22 August 2010 in support of the flood humanitarian efforts in that country.
A Trainer Cargo Aircraft of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force (AWACS) will transport relief goods donated by the Republic of Slovakia.
The flight will depart Geilenkirchen airbase in Germany to Islamabad with goods including power generators, water pumps and tents.
NATO's support to the flood relief operations will be conducted in accordance with specific requests from the Pakistan authorities and in coordination with other stakeholders engaged in the humanitarian relief efforts.
Since the first request for humanitarian assistance by the Pakistani authorities in early August, the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) at NATO Headquarters in Brussels has been acting as a clearing house for humanitarian assistance offered by Allies and partner nations. NATO's assistance to the relief operations in support of the humanitarian disaster in Pakistan will continue to be implemented in full coordination with the Pakistani authorities.
Video footage and still photographs will be available on the NATO website after the event. For broadcast quality footage, please contact Zorniza Venkova at + 32 475 75 37 63 or forward e-mail to venkova.zornitza@hq.nato.int.