A special meeting of the Council of the North Adantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was held in Paris on February 24, 1956, to consider the situation created by the exceptionally severe winter experienced in many NATO countries. While noting with satisfaction the assistance already given by the military forces assigned to NATO in some afflicted areas, the Council noted also the danger of serious aggravation of the situation in the event of a sudden thaw. It was agreed to urge member governments to authorize their forces assigned to NATO to prepare urgently to deal with such an emergency, and NATO headquarters in Europe were instructed to assist and co-ordinate national efforts where required. It was also agreed to recommend that member governments give consideration to action that might be required if a shortage of food resulted from damage to agricultural land, and the Council decided to keep the situation under review.