WILLEMSTAD – The Dutch navy is on its way from Curacao to Haiti to offer aid in the aftermath of hurricane Matthew, the Ministry of Defense said on Monday. The Dutch will focus on the southwest of the island, which was hit particularly hard by the hurricane last week, the Telegraaf reports.
Navy ship Zr.MS. Holland is already on the way to Haiti carrying manpower, food and water. Also aboard is additional marines, medical staff, Red Cross employees and experts to identify damage to waterways and the harbors. This is to see where aid ships can dock safely.
A second Dutch navy ship, Zr.MS. Pelikaan, will follow as soon as possible. This ship will also be loaded with needed supplies and aid givers
A massive 1.4 million Haitians are currently in urgent need of aid, according to the United Nations.
Minister Lilianne Ploumen of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation also called for quick help for Haiti. According to her, Haiti only barely recovered from a massive earthquake in 2010 before now being struck by a hurricane.
“Tens of thousands of people were still living in tents and in temporary houses and were extra vulnerable to the destructive power of this hurricane”, Ploumen said. “And now again heaps of people are injured or homeless. By being present quickly, we can prevent further deterioration of the situation.”
Bron: CuracaoChronicle