WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao — The Pelikaan Venezuela Water Mission is carrying approximately 220,000 liters of drinking water from Curaçao to La Guaira as Dutch Caribbean defense forces provide additional humanitarian assistance to communities affected by Venezuela’s devastating June earthquakes.
Zr.Ms. Pelikaan departed Curaçao for the Venezuelan port following a request for assistance from Venezuelan authorities.
The Dutch naval support vessel is transporting approximately 70,000 liters of drinking water in its onboard tanks along with pallets of bottled water representing roughly another 150,000 liters.
Together, the shipment amounts to approximately 220,000 liters of drinking water.
Pelikaan Venezuela Water Mission Heads to La Guaira
La Guaira was one of the areas hit hardest by the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence said the Pelikaan is well suited for humanitarian logistics because the vessel has a large cargo area and an onboard crane that can assist with loading and unloading supplies.
The latest shipment focuses on providing safe drinking water as recovery efforts continue more than two months after the disaster.
The mission is being carried out at the request of Venezuelan authorities.
Dutch Caribbean Forces Previously Provided Aid
This is not the first humanitarian deployment by Dutch defense forces following the earthquakes.
Shortly after the disaster, Zr.Ms. Groningen transported drinking water, food and medical supplies to affected communities in Venezuela.
That earlier operation involved cooperation between Dutch Caribbean defense personnel, Venezuelan authorities and international humanitarian organizations.
Much of the initial assistance was directed toward La Guaira, where earthquake damage created significant humanitarian needs.
Earthquakes Hit Venezuela in June
Two powerful earthquakes struck north-central Venezuela on June 24.
International humanitarian agencies reported extensive damage across several states, with La Guaira among the most seriously affected.
Homes, public infrastructure and health facilities were damaged, creating increased demand for shelter, healthcare, food and safe drinking water.
Humanitarian organizations have continued supporting recovery efforts in the weeks since the disaster.
Emergency Assistance Part of Caribbean Role
Providing emergency assistance is one of the responsibilities of Dutch defense forces operating in the Caribbean.
The regional military presence is prepared to respond to emergencies affecting countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and can also provide assistance elsewhere in the Caribbean when requested and authorized.
Ships such as Zr.Ms. Pelikaan can transport large quantities of humanitarian supplies between islands and neighboring countries.
Its cargo capacity and crane make the vessel particularly useful when moving water, food, equipment and other emergency materials.
Regional Humanitarian Response Continues
The Pelikaan Venezuela Water Mission represents another stage in the regional response to the June earthquakes.
Unlike earlier assistance involving an Aruba humanitarian team, this particular shipment departed from Curaçao and has not been reported as an Aruba-led operation.
The mission nevertheless forms part of the wider Dutch Caribbean emergency-response capability operating close to Venezuela.
Once the Pelikaan reaches La Guaira, the drinking water is expected to support communities that continue recovering from the earthquake disaster.
Dutch Caribbean defense officials say they remain prepared to provide emergency assistance in the region when circumstances require it.
