Monday, 28 April 2014 - 14:29
Dutch companies stop flooding worldwide
The Netherlands is going to make a 'disaster counter' available to help with the prevention of water-based crises such as flooding. This team will be overseen by the government, and is made up of 150 of the country's leading heads of Universities and company members.
The Netherlands is well known for its ability to prevent water-related disasters. The international availability of these Dutch Risk Reduction teams (DRR-teams) have already spent the last 6 months working through Dutch embassies to guide governments how to control water.
This month, for example, the team has already helped in Mexico's state of Tabasco, an oil-rich delta region that has been suffering under floods. Further interest in the team comes from China, the Philippines, Myanmar and Senegal.
Minister Ploumen (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) is enthusiastic about the new plan. "It is a beautiful combination of help and trade." The DRR-teams will look at investment opportunities for Dutch companies as well as analyze the problems and find solutions.
The Kingdom will put €5 million into this disaster relief counter. The Dutch water sector will invest a further €1 million.