From NATO: The Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) and the Ministry for Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan will conduct the disaster response field exercise “ZHETYSU 2009” from 5 to 10 September 2009 in the city of Kapchagay in the Almaty province of Kazakhstan.

All together, approximately 1000 participants, including more than 500 from Kazakhstan, will take part in the exercise. Over twenty Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) nations have nominated civilian and military teams, as well as command elements with the expertise and capability to deal with different aspects of emergencies.

The lead-in scenario for the exercise will be a severe earthquake in the vicinity of Almaty, resulting in high numbers of victims and widespread damage to critical infrastructure, including chemical spills. (photo: NATO)