NATO sends two more aid planes to Pakistan

BRUSSELS, Aug 27, 2010 (AFP) - NATO is deploying two more aircraft to flood-hit Pakistan with more than 100 tonnes of relief goods including power generators, boats and baby food, the alliance said Friday.

An Antonov 124 transport aircraft was scheduled to take off from Leipzig/Halle airport in Germany on Friday with 100 tonnes of relief goods, including power generators and water tanks donated by Germany.

The 28-nation alliance, which is fighting Taliban insurgents in neighbouring Afghanistan, said the Islamabad-bound plane was also taking baby food donated by a non-governmental organisation.

At the weekend, a Trainer Cargo Aircraft will leave Geilenkirchen airbase in Germany with 16 tonnes of humanitarian goods donated by NGOs, including more power generators, boats, food and clothing, NATO said.

NATO members decided last week to provide air and sea lifts for aid donated by nations and NGOs following a request from Islamabad.

A first cargo plane with aid donated by Slovakia was deployed last weekend.

It is the second time NATO has engaged in relief efforts in Pakistan, following the 2005 earthquake, which killed more than 73,000 people and left around 3.5 million homeless.

For nearly a month, torrential monsoon rain has triggered massive floods steadily moving from north to south, affecting a fifth of the volatile country -- an area roughly the size of England -- and 17 million people.



(c) 2010 AFP