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Royal Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS

Karel Doorman to assist in the Caribbean

DEN HELDER, NETHERLANDS Doorman can provide sup- quests for assistance in the
— HNLMS Karel Doorman port in the form of transport fight against coronavirus
has left Den Helder on Mon- capability in order to, for in- from local authorities in the
day 13 April, bound for the stance, guarantee food se- Dutch Caribbean. At pres-
Caribbean. The Nether- curity. In addition, the RNLN ent, Defense is already as-
lands Ministry of Defense is ship is capable of assisting sisting with units stationed
deploying the ship to pro- the coastguard in maritime in the region, including
vide immediate support border control, and can support in maritime border
to the civil authorities in act as a base of opera- control and in maintaining Force for medical transport ship will also carry a hurri-
the COVID-19 pandemic if tions from which to quickly public order. By preposi- and medical evacuation, a cane disaster relief pack-
needed. The ship is initially provide man and materiel tioning HNLMS Karel Door- medical team with surgical age.
being deployed for three in support of public order man in the region, Defense capability, a medical team
months. on land. Lastly, the ship also will ensure that additional for basic medical support France and the United
houses medical resources support can be provided on shore and drones from Kingdom also each have
With the presence of this that can support the local at very short notice when- the army and navy to as- a navy ship in the region,
logistic support ship, the healthcare system by pro- ever it is needed. sist in picture compilation. and a coordination cell has
Caribbean islands will be viding non-COVID-related Netherlands Marine Corps been established on Mar-
able to rely on versatile emergency treatment. In addition to its own capa- units will also take part in tinique with these countries
and rapidly deployable ca- bilities as a transport and the deployment, with ve- to facilitate cooperation
pability in addition to that Over the past couple of supply ship, the Karel Door- hicles and landing craft for where necessary. The Karel
of the guard ship already weeks, the Netherlands man will be augmented by transport purposes. An ad- Doorman could for exam-
present in the region, HN- Ministry of Defense has 2 Cougar helicopters from ditional marine unit can be ple provide fuel for these
LMS Zeeland. HNLMS Karel received a number of re- the Royal Netherlands Air flown in if necessary. The ships.q

Aruban Baseball All-Star Xander Bogaerts teams up with CEDE

Aruba to promote the “Happy to Give Back” initiative

ORANJESTAD — On April 9, 2020, devastating effects of the COV-
CEDE Aruba launched its “Happy ID-19 pandemic, international ex-
to Give Back” relief initiative in perts project that Aruba will be the
response to the COVID-19 pan- #1 country in the world most neg-
demic, which has brought Aruba’s atively affected by the COVID-19
only economic pillar of tourism crisis, with close to a quarter of the
to a complete stop. CEDE Aruba island’s population expected to
has joined forces with several lo- lose their jobs. Yet, with the help of
cal influencers who are helping to Aruba’s international friends, who
support the cause, and the orga- number roughly 1.2 million visitors
nization is both proud and grateful a year, along with local support-
to count Aruban MLB all-star short- ers like Xander, some of this local
stop Xander Bogaerts as one of its devastation can be mitigated.
supporters.
CEDE Aruba would like to whole-
Xander—who has so gracefully heartedly thank Xander for his
represented his home island on generous support of the “Happy
the world stage as a star player for to Give Back” initiative and kind-
the Boston Red Sox with two World ly urges those who can afford to
Series wins under his belt—makes give back to Aruba at this time to
a personal call to all international visit www.happytogiveback.com/
friends of Aruba to give back to donate to make a donation. Such
the island, their home away from support will help give the Aruban
home, by donating to the “Happy elderly, people in complete isola- up his call for support during this community the strength it needs
to Give Back” initiative. All dona- tion, children, and the thousands difficult time with his own gener- to stay afloat until it can once
tions will fund local food banks of people in the local community ous contribution to the “Happy to again welcome back its many
and warm meals for Aruba’s vul- who have lost their jobs due to Give Back” campaign. international friends with open
nerable groups, especially the COVID-19. Xander has backed While the entire world is facing the arms.q