THE HAGUE - If the Caribbean part of the Kingdom is hit again by a (natural) disaster, the Netherlands is sufficiently prepared to provide assistance. The Rutte cabinet has concluded this in the Council of Ministers.
Today, the cabinet discussed the results of the investigation ('policy review') into the relief and reconstruction of the Windward Islands after hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. “The core message of the policy review is critically positive and indicates that the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations has relatively well performed despite limited preparation and experience in managing and coordinating a crisis of this magnitude. However, improvements are possible.
State Secretary Van Huffelen will inform the House of Representatives by letter how the government will implement the researchers' recommendations. The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations will further determine which improvements can be realized before the start of the hurricane season in June.