A Dutch naval vessel has arrived on Sint-Maarten with 1,000 tonnes of aid to help rebuild the island in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

The Karel Doorman left Den Helder on September 20 carrying construction materials, vehicles and antenna masts.

The logistical support vessel is the third to arrive in the Caribbean since Hurricane Irma, following the Pelikaan and the Zeeland. The Red Cross, ministry of infrastructure and the police will supervise distributing supplies to communities.

Large parts of Sint-Maarten were left without road access, running water or phone coverage after the storm passed through on September 6. Four people died and one-third of all homes were completely destroyed. The cost of repairing the damage has been estimated at €1 billion.