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| U.S Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano emphasized on collaboration to fight against disasters |
The MOC between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management establishes a framework for information sharing and emergency management cooperation.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and New Zealand Ambassador to the United States Mike Moore today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) strengthening emergency management cooperation between the United States and New Zealand enhancing disaster response and recovery capabilities in both nations through improved information sharing and collaboration.
"Close collaboration with our international partners is essential to building our resilience to disasters," said Secretary Napolitano. "I look forward to working with our emergency management partners in New Zealand to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and keep our citizens safe."
The MOC between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management establishes a framework for information sharing and emergency management cooperation including the exchange of lessons learned from previous disasters and exercises as well as best practices regarding education and training, public awareness efforts, community and organizational resilience and risk assessment. The MOC also provides opportunities for joint research and coordination on emergency management.
While the United States and New Zealand have offered each other disaster assistance in the past, this MOC is the first formal agreement between the countries' emergency management agencies. Secretary Napolitano and Ambassador Moore were joined by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness Tim Manning for the official signing.
Earlier this year, the United States and New Zealand signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in science and technology research to improve the shared capabilities of both nations to protect against terrorism and other threats.
