在线国产一区二区_成人黄色片在线观看_国产成人免费_日韩精品免费在线视频_亚洲精品美女久久_欧美一级免费在线观看

NATO OKs plans to deliver hurricane aid
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-10 10:48

NATO nations agreed Friday to use alliance ships and aircraft to rush European aid to the U.S. Gulf Coast in response to an American request for more help to cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The United Nations also was expected to boost Katrina aid, with its humanitarian chief saying the world body's current assistance level would be increased as more international aid arrives.

"The NATO alliance is ready to do its part in the diminishing of the human suffering," NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said. Military experts from the 26 allies prepared the plans after the United States on Thursday requested extra assistance from NATO.

De Hoop Scheffer told reporters the alliance will send at least two transport ships from its elite NATO Response Force with a capacity to hold about 600 large trucks.

NATO also will use converted jetliners, normally used to train crews for the alliance's fleet of AWACS surveillance planes based in Germany, to fly in emergency aid.

The secretary general said the decision "will dramatically increase the resources available to NATO and partner countries to move their assistance to the United States."

Deployment of its ships to the U.S. Gulf Coast will mark the first time the new NATO Response Force has been used for a humanitarian mission.

European nations have made substantial offers of food, medicine, bedding and other help to the stricken region.

The United States first asked NATO for help over the weekend, and the alliance activated its Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Center to help oversee the flood of offers, including those from non-NATO nations, like Russia and Switzerland.

On Thursday, U.S. Ambassador Victoria Nuland requested more transportation and logistical help at a special meeting of the alliance's North Atlantic Council, which immediately ordered military commanders to draw up plans.

Meanwhile, U.N. officials said the world body's limited aid to Katrina should be increased as more international aid arrives and the United States asks it for assistance.

"All in all we expect the U.N. involvement to grow as we expect there to be a very considerable increase in the number of international relief flights to the United States from many parts of the world," said Jan Egeland, U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs.

"We, as internationals, deal with mass natural disasters around the globe a number of times a year, so we have well-tested systems which have now been appreciated by many of these U.S. agencies," Egeland said.

Close

Post-Katrina New Orleans 12th APEC Finance Ministers Meeting Germany's Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder campaigning

Today's Top News     Top World News
China banks target public listings in 2006         President Hu praises China-Canada relations         Fireworks ban goes up in smoke in Beijing         Banker: Further RMB revaluation unnecessary         Katrina death toll may not hit 10,000         Hotshots gather for all-star China Open	Mubarak wins Egypt presidential vote       Katrina death toll may not hit 10,000       PolL: Most say abandon flooded areas       Cops set to forcibly clear out New Orleans       Papers put Mubarak ahead with 80 pct in Egypt       Katrina divides rather than unifies U.S.