The Eqyptians will be constructing a facility modelled after Purdue University's Terrestrial Observatory which will be used to provide early warning and mitigate the effects of disasters such as epidemics, famine and flooding to be built in Egypt as part of a NATO-funded effort. Courtesy of funding is provided by NATO through its Science for Peace and Security program, which creates partnerships among alliance countries and Eastern European, or so-called Mediterranean Dialogue nations, a forum of cooperation between seven countries centred in North Africa.