More than twenty marines from the 32e Raidingsquadron in Aruba were deployed last night because of a fire of the Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital.
The marines, placed at the Marines barracks Savaneta, have been called upon to provide assistance such as placing tents and camp beds. They also transported patients who had to be moved to a more safe location.
The head of the Bureau for Disaster Relief Aruba (RBA) called the barracks commander Lt. Col. Art van Beekhuizen directly with the request to provide military assistance. Immediate action was taken and soldiers were sent to the hospital for support. Lieutenant Colonel van Beekhuizen: “Our mission is safety in and from Aruba. CZMCARIB’s third main task is to support civil activities, which is a good example of this. As a soldier, we are available 24/7 to be deployed in emergency situations, anywhere in the world. “. The fire took place after an explosion in the old part of the hospital, which was to be renovated.
Defense on Aruba is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Netherlands Military forces that protect Aruba include the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Netherlands Marine Corps and the Netherlands Coastguard. There is also a small indigenous “Arubaanse Militie” (ARUMIL) of about platoon strength. All forces are stationed at Marines Barracks Savaneta.
