Frigates ‘Numancia’ and ‘Victoria’ deliver humanitarian aid and educational material in Djibouti

·       The delivery coincided with the handover between the two frigates within the European Union Naval Force in the Indian Ocean

During a logistical stopover in the port of Djibouti, and coinciding with the handover in operation Atalanta, the frigates 'Numancia' and 'Victoria' delivered humanitarian aid and educational material from the Spanish Navy ‘Cáritas Parroquial Castrense’ in Madrid.

Part of the aid was used to subsidise a schooling project for 50 children from the 'Boulaos' school in Djibouti. The aid was delivered to the diocesan Caritas bishop in Djibouti, Giorgio Bertin.

The second part of the project consisted of the delivery of material, from Cáritas Castrense with the collaboration of the Spanish Navy Orphan School and the Parents’ Association of the ‘Nuestra Señora de Loreto’ School of San Javier. The aid was delivered to Caritas Djibouti and the Convent of the Nativity of the Franciscan Missionaries of Djibouti, directed by Sor Justine.

In addition, an economic aid was given for the schooling of the children of the Idriss family, a low-income family that lives in the convent and has been receiving scholarships to study from the Spanish Navy Orphan School in Madrid since the beginning of Operation Atalanta in 2009.

This aid was possible thanks to the initiative of Father Rodrigo, embarked on the 'Victoria', to the encouragement of the staff of ‘Cáritas Castrense Armada’ and to the generosity of those who collaborated in the project. The material, transported from Spain by the frigate 'Numancia', was delivered by volunteers from both frigates.

The frigate 'Victoria' has been participating in the counter-piracy Operation Atalanta since last November. The frigate was relieved as the flagship of Commander Task Force 465 by the frigate 'Numancia', which plans to remain in the area of operations until mid-June.