“We see many collapsed buildings, only a few are still standing. There is debris everywhere,” said Captain-Lieutenant Harald van Rijn, commander of the naval vessel. Roads and bridges were also heavily damaged. “Traveling on the roads is difficult.”
The United Nations reports that thousands of buildings have collapsed and, according to the Red Cross, at least 800,000 inhabitants are said to have been affected by the disaster.
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The Dutch naval vessel is loaded in Curaçao with more than 58,000 bottles of water, emergency rations and relief supplies. The ship arrived on Saturday at the north coast of the island, near the town of Baradères.
More damage on south side
“We then made an estimate: how great is the damage? Where is the need higher?” The United Nations, together with others ashore, were able to paint a good picture. “There seems to be more damage on the south coast of the island, so we’ve circumnavigated.”
Since this morning, the patrol ship has been at sea on the south coast of the island. Mooring is not an option, says commander Van Rijn. The ports are not big enough for the ship. “That’s why there are two small, fast dinghies on board. We can come ashore with them.”
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The plan is that the Sr. Ms. Holland offers two weeks of emergency aid in Haiti. This can be extended if necessary.
“We have two tasks in the coming days,” says commander Van Rijn. First of all, the Netherlands is helping to install a water treatment plant. In addition, the plan is to build several emergency hospitals at the initiative of the European Union. “Currently we have an Italian doctor on board looking for a suitable location for an emergency hospital.”
Hospitals succumb
Hospitals on the island are currently collapsing under the pressure on care. Footage shows injured children waiting for medical help in their parents’ arms:
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“We have various help that we can offer immediately,” said commander Van Rijn. For example, there are engineers from the army on board. “They can help with small-scale reconstructions on the island.” In addition, there is medical support and security on board, so that the teams can do their work. “We also have a helicopter that can bring large amounts of stuff ashore.”
‘Grateful task’
A naval ship naturally attracts a lot of attention on a coast with small ports. “Small boats come at us from various directions to ask for help. We have provided those people with food and clean drinking water. The plan is to provide emergency aid on this side of the island in large numbers tomorrow.”
Commander Van Rijn says that it was quite a switch. Last week, the ship was used for drug control in the Caribbean. “But it’s a rewarding job to be able to offer help.”
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