WILLEMSTAD – A U.S. Navy warship supporting humanitarian relief operations off the coast of Venezuela has received fresh water from a Royal Netherlands Navy vessel as international efforts continue following the devastating earthquakes that struck the country on June 24.
According to military officials, U.S. Navy sailors conducted an underway replenishment aboard the littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15), receiving water supplied by a Dutch naval vessel while operating near Venezuela.
The operation forms part of the broader international humanitarian response coordinated by the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). Under SOUTHCOM's direction, U.S. military forces are supporting relief efforts led by the U.S. Department of State in response to the disaster.
The replenishment allows the USS Billings to remain on station while continuing to support humanitarian assistance operations without returning to port.
The Netherlands has also been actively involved in the regional response. In recent weeks, Dutch military assets based in the Caribbean have transported relief supplies and personnel to Venezuela, while the Royal Netherlands Navy's station ship has delivered food, water and other essential aid to affected communities. Curaçao has also served as an important logistical hub for the international relief effort.
The cooperation between Dutch and U.S. naval forces highlights the close coordination among allied partners working to provide emergency assistance to Venezuela as recovery efforts continue in the aftermath of one of the country's most destructive natural disasters in recent years.