Working closely with other agencies and partners as part of the Kent Resilience Forum (KRF), with a shared priority of keeping people safe, HM Coastguard is on the front line distributing the KRF’s welfare supplies.
So far, the 60 HM Coastguard volunteers and HM Coastguard staff have delivered essential supplies directly to the waiting lorry drivers:
- 12,700 2L bottles of water (25,408 litres)
- 250 pizzas
- 2,000 meals (hot and cold) yesterday with a similar provision expected today (23 December)
- Immediate first aid
Matt Pavitt, Coastal Operations Area Commander based at the HM Coastguard’s Dover operations centre, one of 10 key centres across the UK said:
“We first became involved on Sunday evening and since then, we haven’t stopped and we won’t stop until we are no longer needed. We’re working closely with our partner agencies and all emergency services in the area to ensure people are kept as comfortable and safe as possible at this difficult time.
“The whole community has worked as one team with a common goal and we’re immensely grateful for everyone’s support. And I’d like to say a special thanks to our teams who always go above and beyond the call, we are very proud of their dedication and the work they are doing now and all year round.”
Alun Newsome, Divisional Commander, HM Coastguard added: “Keeping people safe around our coasts is what we do. Less well known is that we also work closely with emergency services partners to deliver mutual aid in the event of emergencies when the health and well-being of people is at risk. I’d like to add my thanks to all our teams and our partner agencies for the impressive efforts that are going on right now in the Dover area.”
