Norway has rescued a UN scheme to set up an emergency response system
for environmental crises. The Centre for Urgent Environmental Assistance,
based in Geneva, will provide emergency technical assistance to countries
that would not otherwise be able to contain or monitor damage from disasters
such as oil spills and chemical accidents. The centre was inaugurated by
the UN Environment Programme last year, but until Norway鈥檚 pledge last week
it had received no funds or equipment.
Norway has put its own Emergency Preparedness System at the UN鈥檚 disposal.
Norway will provide equipment and staff, and says it can get 鈥�12 categories
of life-saving equipment and supplies airborne in less than 24 hours鈥�
