One of NATO’s tasks as a security alliance is to protect the population and especially important civilian infrastructure. At the same time, the armed forces and their rapid and effective deployment largely depend on the support of civil society and private industry.

To make sure that this support can be provided even in times of crisis or war, the civilian infrastructure of the NATO member states needs to be resilient. This infrastructure specifically includes transport networks, energy, water and food supply, but also information and communication networks as well as medical services.

NATO civil emergency planning

Within NATO’s structures, the Civil Emergency Planning Committee (CEPC) is responsible for these tasks. The committee is supported by several expert working groups which are composed of experts from the member states. Among other things, these expert working groups cover the following areas:

• civil protection
• transport
• health systems and food supply
• communication

The CEPC meets every six months at the level of the directors-general responsible for civil protection in the NATO member states. The meetings are held at the NATO headquarters in Brussels. At these meetings, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community is represented by the Director-General for Crisis Management and Civil Protection.

Furthermore, the Committee meets regularly at the working level. These meetings are attended by the BMI’s representative at NATO’s headquarters in Brussels.