"This is a short-term relief mission and we are acting quickly to meet the needs of a great many people affected by this disaster," US Navy Vice Admiral John Stufflebeem, the officer running the mission in Islamabad, said in a statement released by Nato's military arm in Mons, southern Belgium.
Under an exchange of letters with the government of Pakistan, the Nato operation is limited to 90 days with the possibility of a review in mid-November, depending on needs.
Nato officials stress the focus of the operation is on bringing immediate relief to the area rather than helping in reconstruction efforts, which are expected to last years.
The mission is Nato's first substantial presence on the Indian subcontinent and is an early test for its Nato Response Force (NRF), a rapid reaction force at the heart of efforts to forge a new role for the alliance after the Cold War era.
Nato said Pakistan Additional Foreign Secretary Tariq Osman Hyder had visited the alliance on Thursday asking for further help, including continuing the airlift and providing funds, winterised tents and sleeping bags.