Packed and loaded the emergency aid detachment of Defense in the Dutch Caribbean Region will be leaving on Wednesday 3 May, 2023, to the Windward Islands. The Marines Squadron from Aruba the Caribbean Soldiers, the 43rd Compagnie in the West and the Support Ship Zr.Ms.Pelikaan from Curaçao. The soldiers will be executing the yearly hurricane emergency response exercise (HUREX) there. A specialty this year is that also the Dutch Minister of Defense, Kajsa Ollongren, will be rendering a visit at the exercises in Sint Maarten.
Starting from tomorrow, Wednesday 3 may, approximately 500 soldiers will be preparing themselves in the Caribbean Region, for the relief after the passage of a hurricane. The havoc that hurricane Irma caused in 2017, is still etched in the memory of many. It is important to render proper help as soon as possible. Therefore Defense exercises one each year, prior to the hurricane season, as to what exactly they must and can do. The exercises take place around the islands of Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius. The program includes structuring crisis communication and maintaining public order and safety. But also making affected areas accessible, evacuating civilians and immediately providing emergency aid. The exercise will last until Monday 8 May.
Minister of Defense
This year the Dutch Minister of Defense, Kajsa Ollongren will also be joining the hurricane relief exercise. During her visit to Sint Maarten she will see, among other things through demonstrations, how Defense cooperates with the local authorities during a natural disaster..