NEW: Dutch Caribbean Marine Assist with Clearing Roads and Building Infrastructure

DOMINICA – Marines from the Dutch Caribbean continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the Commonwealth of Dominica after arriving on Saturday. 

Marines have been busy clearing roads from debris and working closely with the local population.  Engineers from the military have also been busy laying the basic infrastructure for some roads which will bring it back into use.

The Medical division of the Dutch military has been traveling to different villages providing medical assistance. 

ARCHIVE: DOMINICA (September 5th, 2015) – The Marines from the Dutch Caribbean have been busy in Dominica carrying out relief work.  A number of evacuations were carried out via sea by boat and with the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard helicopter.

24 students along with their parents were evacuated from one area where their school was destroyed to another village where school buildings will be utilised shortly as the new school year opens.  This would allow them to return to school within short.

The Dutch Marines continue to distribute potable water and assist with the clean-up.  Mechanical and technical specialist of the Marines have been busy with lending support to repair and restore roads and bridges.

On Tuesday, a large aircraft will be landing at the Douglas-Charles airport which is located in the north of the island.  The aircraft will be bringing in relief aid and goods.

ARCHIVE: DOMINICA (September 6, 2015) – Upon arrival in the Commonwealth of Dominica, marines and other ship mates off loaded the Pelikaan. The FRISC boats on Sunday took water supplies to a town which is inaccessible by car due to the destruction of the access roads. 

According to Defensie Caribisch Gebied, Dominican authorities and the military are also keeping in mind the approach of Tropical Storm Grace which is less than a week away from the Lesser Antilles.

ARCHIVE: DOMINICA – The Dutch Royal Navy Support Ship Zr. Ms. Pelikaan that is based in the Dutch Caribbean – Willemstad, Curacao -, will arrive in Dominica on Saturday evening. 

Since preparing for the emergency relief trip, a plan of action has been drafted by military coordinators on what will be done once they arrive in the Commonwealth of Dominica. (See related story)

Emergency relief supplies will be delivered to the most badly hit areas on the island.  This will be a challenge, as the road network to some of these areas is in a bad state due to the torrential rains that destroyed much of the infrastructure during the passing of Tropical Storm Erika.

Another priority that the Dutch military coordinators have identified, is providing assistance to help the Dominica authorities clear the international airport on the north east coast of the island, the Douglas-Charles Airport.

This would allow larger aircraft to land bringing in relief supplies for the country.   

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