News BlogWest Africa - SahelHumanitarian aid

The Karel Doorman sent against Ebola

The Karel Doorman berthed in her home port Den Helder (credit: Netherlands Navy)
The Karel Doorman berthed in her home port Den Helder (credit: Netherlands Navy)

(BRUSSELS2) The Netherlands will send one of their most recent ships, the Karel Doorman (A-833) to Africa from West. Il will leave the Netherlands the 6 november, said the Minister of Defense Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert et his Development counterpart Lilianne ploumen in a letter in the lower house, Friday (October 24).

In total, the Karel Doorman carries more than 100 vehicles and 50 containers emergency equipment (protective clothing, mobile clinics, ambulances, etc.), native States EU members et international organizations to the three countries most affected by the Ebola crisis (Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea).

A 200 meter long logistic support vessel, Karel Doorman is “ perfectly adapted to this type of transport ” we say to the Dutch Ministry of Defence, comprising large holds, which can accommodate 5000 tonnes of various equipment, including an on-board hospital (with 2 operating rooms) and the possibility of accommodating on its deck several types helicopters (Chinook, Cougar, NH90). It is also the most recent out of the Dutch (DSNS)... and Romanian shipyards. Christened in March 2014 and having started its trial phase in June 2014, this is in fact its first operational outing.

Le trip to africa from West should take about 2 weeks. The cost of the operation will be Supported by the European Union and budget from the Dutch Ministry of Development Cooperation. Salary sailors and maintenance aboard ship will be provided by the Defense.

(NGV)

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

s2Member®