One of the key roles for the EU Naval Force is to ensure that World Food Programme (WFP) vessels that have to sail close to the coast of Somalia in order to deliver humanitarian aid to the Somali people, arrive safely in port. And during the past few weeks, EU Naval Force’s Croatian maritime security team has been doing just that. Embarked 24/7, these highly trained soldiers have being maintaining a constant watch at sea to ensure that WFP vessel, MSM Douro, remains safe.
The Croatian soldiers have been embarked in MSM Douro since the beginning of November as part of Croatia’s contribution to the EU’s counter-piracy efforts off the coast of Somalia.
Since EU Naval Force started its protection of WFP vessels in December 2008 none of the vessels have been attacked by pirates, with 100% of the food and other humanitarian aid reaching its port of destination safely. This means that over a million tonnes of humanitarian aid has been protected by the EU Naval Force for the people of Somalia.
During the past few weeks, EU Naval Force’s Spanish maritime patrol aircraft and Spanish warship, ESPS Relampago, have also conducted counter-piracy patrols along the coast of Somali and further out to sea to help keep seafarers safe from any potential pirate attack.