ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the coordination and cooperation between the military and civilian actors working alongside each other to address the effects of the earthquake from a military perspective. An integrated civil-military approach to disaster relief is essential to protect and promote humanitarian principles, avoid competition, minimize inconsistency and duplication, and pursue common objectives. The timeframe for NATO's military engagement was limited to the 90-day mandate given by the Pakistani government. In order to achieve optimal cooperation, civilian and military actors should perceive coordination as a shared responsibility and civil and military parties should take part in active interaction and dialogue. Cooperation, however, takes time to be properly established. There is much to win by prearranging agreements, regulating the ongoing exchange of information, mutual participation in planning and exercises as well as procedures for mutual support with technical expertise and other available assets for current operations.
