Nato to fly aid to flood-hit Pakistan

BRUSSELS (Reuters/AFP) Nato said on Friday it would provide ships and aircraft to transport aid to flood-stricken Pakistan, a day after Islamabad warned that extremists were trying to exploit the disaster. A statement from the Western military alliance, which is battling extremists in Afghanistan, said a Nato aircraft would fly in power generators, water pumps and tents donated by Slovakia on Sunday. The mission followed a decision by the 28 Nato nations on Friday to provide airlift and sealift for the delivery of aid donated by nations and humanitarian relief organisations, the statement said. A Trainer Cargo Aircraft will depart the Geilenkirchen airbase in Germany to Islamabad on Sunday (tomorrow) with relief goods donated by Slovakia, the transatlantic alliance said in a statement. A Nato spokeswoman said future missions would depend on requests from the Pakistani authorities, donors and aid agencies. Nato mounted a major relief operation after the devastating 2005 earthquake in Pakistans Kashmir region. Earlier this month it said it was taking on a coordinating role for flood aid deliveries from its members and partners.

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