<p class="title">NATO is to stockpile medical equipment to prepare for a possible second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, its chief announced Tuesday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The 30-nation alliance is drawing up plans to be be ready if the virus returns strongly, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Some countries struggled to get basic equipment such as surgical masks when the pandemic first swept across the world.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Defence ministers are expected to sign off this week on a new operational plan to manage the response to any second wave.</p>.<p class="bodytext">This includes building up supplies of personal protective equipment and other resources so they can be distributed quickly in case of need.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A special multi-million euro fund will also be created to buy medical supplies and pay for the transport of medics and patients where needed.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The measures "will ensure that we can strengthen our response to a possible second wave of the pandemic, so that critical assistance gets to the right place at the right time", said Stoltenberg.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Stoltenberg said the alliance had already helped its members and partner countries with their coronavirus response, with some 350 flights airlifting crucial equipment.</p>
<p class="title">NATO is to stockpile medical equipment to prepare for a possible second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, its chief announced Tuesday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The 30-nation alliance is drawing up plans to be be ready if the virus returns strongly, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Some countries struggled to get basic equipment such as surgical masks when the pandemic first swept across the world.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Defence ministers are expected to sign off this week on a new operational plan to manage the response to any second wave.</p>.<p class="bodytext">This includes building up supplies of personal protective equipment and other resources so they can be distributed quickly in case of need.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A special multi-million euro fund will also be created to buy medical supplies and pay for the transport of medics and patients where needed.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The measures "will ensure that we can strengthen our response to a possible second wave of the pandemic, so that critical assistance gets to the right place at the right time", said Stoltenberg.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Stoltenberg said the alliance had already helped its members and partner countries with their coronavirus response, with some 350 flights airlifting crucial equipment.</p>