EU helps channel major aid delivery to Sint Maarten island affected by Hurricane Irma

As part of a coordinated European response, the Dutch vessel, Karel Doorman, delivered vital supplies to Sint Maarten, one of the worst-hit islands in the Caribbean. The consignment is the single largest shipment of relief goods post-hurricane Irma.

The ship transported relief including basic kits for survival, clean water and food, construction material and fuel, as well as additional logistical support to reach isolated communities. The European Commission will provide a grant of up to €2 145 000 towards the cost of the transport through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which was activated at the request of the Netherlands.

EU Commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management Christos Stylianides, said ”The EU has been committed since the very beginning to support those affected by Hurricane Irma, having mobilised its emergency response tools, experts, satellite mapping and emergency humanitarian funding last month. Through this new aid delivery, our EU support continues.

I would like to express my thanks to the Dutch Navy and sympathy for the people affected by Hurricane Irma in Sint Maarten. I am glad to announce that the European Union is helping provide further assistance to the affected island.”

Offloading at Port Sint Maarten started immediately upon arrival on Sunday 1 October, the consignment of goods weighed over one million kilos and was valued at an estimated more than three million euros.

Original source: European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.
Posted on 5 October 2017