The Dutch contribution to United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)
The cabinet decided on 24 October 2003 to supply UNMIL with the Landing Platform Dock (LPD), HNLMS Rotterdam, including 2 Lynx helicopters, a hydrographic team, a Marine Corps platoon, the Amphibious Beach Unit and a surgical team for a maximum period of 3 months. The total number of military personnel was approximately 270.
The Rotterdam transported supplies, vehicles and, when necessary, troops from Monrovia to the coastal towns of Buchanan, Harper and Greenville, and supplied drinking water when required. The ship also provided limited surgical capacity for the UN staff and military personnel until their own medical facilities had been set up.
2 helicopters provided transport from Monrovia to the LPD and vice versa for wounded civilian, police or military UNMIL staff. The hydrographic team charted the ports of Buchanan, Greenville and Harper.
The ship normally stayed at anchor in Monrovia by day and spent the night outside territorial waters. HNLMS Zuiderkruis supplied the Rotterdam with stores, fuel and a helicopter on 19 December. The Rotterdam ended her mission in Liberian waters on 19 February.