Cruise Ship In Netherlands To Provide Shelter To 1,500 Refugees From Ukraine
Holland America has volunteered one of its vessels to temporarily house refugees from Ukraine. The Volendam will dock in the city of Rotterdam for almost three months to provide much-needed shelter to nearly 1,500 Ukrainians.
Holland America will be providing three hot meals daily to the Ukrainian refugees, internet access, and also other necessities. To accommodate these refugees, the cruise line will cancel the three voyages that have been scheduled for Volendam.
Guests are going to be accommodated on other itineraries. Services will resume on 3 July. Holland America Line’s president, Gus Antorcha, in a statement mentioned that the company now is in a unique position to accommodate the need for food and housing. So, it is essential to collaborate with the City of Rotterdam to charter the vessel.
The Dutch government has pledged to house 50,000 Ukrainian refugees. The government reached out to the cruise line in March to ask if a ship could be used to house Ukrainians.
Until now, 100 people from Ukraine have boarded the vessel. More are expected to board it in the coming days.
Reference: hollandamerica.com
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