“This pandemic has shown that NATO can respond effectively even to unconventional threats, and that when we work together, we can help save lives.” Learn how NATO is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in this episode of NATO Experts with John Manza, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations.
Synopsis
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“This pandemic has shown that NATO can respond effectively even to unconventional threats, and that when we work together, we can help save lives.”
In this episode, John Manza, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations, discusses NATO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
All recent filming was conducted in line with COVID-19 safety measures.
Transcript
--SOUNDBITE(ENGLISH)— John Manza, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations
“From the beginning, NATO has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure this health crisis doesn’t become a security crisis."
--TEXT ON SCREEN-- WHAT IS NATO’S ROLE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19?
WITH JOHN MANZA – ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL FOR OPERATIONS
--SOUNDBITE(ENGLISH)— “Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, our militaries have played a crucial role in reinforcing civilian responses."
--TEXT ON SCREEN-- 500,000 TROOPS FIGHTING THE VIRUS
--SOUNDBITE(ENGLISH)— "Across the Alliance, half a million troops assisted their governments in the fight against the virus. They have flown medical personnel, transported tonnes of medical supplies and equipment, and helped build field hospitals."
ALLIES HELPED ONE ANOTHER
--SOUNDBITE(ENGLISH)— "And Allies have helped one another. NATO’s main civil emergency response unit, the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre, has specifically coordinated more than 20 requests for international assistance from Allies and partners, which translated into more than 130 offers in support of these requests."
--TEXT ON SCREEN-- ALLIES HELPED ONE ANOTHER
NATO BUILT A STOCKPILE OF SUPPLIES
--SOUNDBITE(ENGLISH)— "The pandemic isn’t going away. This is a sobering reality, but it’s one we can’t ignore."
--TEXT ON SCREEN-- ESTABLISHED A TRUST FUND FOR QUICK RESPONSE
--SOUNDBITE(ENGLISH)— "To prepare for future waves, NATO built a stockpile of supplies and established a trust fund so that we can respond quickly to the needs of Allies and NATO partners.
We are moving very fast on this, responding to requests for assistance with millions of Euros in medical supplies, including ventilators."
--TEXT ON SCREEN-- NATO’S SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY IS ENGAGED
--SOUNDBITE(ENGLISH)— "NATO’s scientific community is also engaged. We are developing projects to improve diagnosis capacity and to boost emergency response for Allies and partners."
--TEXT ON SCREEN-- NATO’S ABILITY TO DETER AND DEFEND REMAINS INTACT
--SOUNDBITE(ENGLISH)— "And while we help each other respond to this challenge, our operations and missions continue, and our ability to deter and defend remains intact."
--TEXT ON SCREEN-- WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP SAVE LIVES
--SOUNDBITE(ENGLISH)— "There’s still lots of work to be done in the fight against COVID-19, but this pandemic has shown that NATO can respond effectively even to unconventional threats, and that when we work together, we can help save lives."
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