Captain Rakesh Prasad of the cruise ship Volendam recalls the traumatized expressions of hundreds of Ukrainian refugees who boarded the ship in April 2022 after fleeing their homeland due to Russia’s invasion. The refugees arrived with scant possessions packed in plastic bags, seeking safety on the ship for the next six months. The atmosphere on board was somber and filled with fear, especially among the children. Despite the difficult circumstances, the refugees found a sense of community on the ship, with families giving free haircuts and elderly women caring for the children.
The Volendam, now back to catering to vacationing travelers, was the first cruise ship of the 2024 season to arrive in Montreal. A ceremony was held aboard the vessel to celebrate the occasion, with diplomats from Ukraine and the Netherlands in attendance. The ship became a Ukrainian village during the refugees’ six-month stay, with a permanent exhibition of drawings by refugee children displayed onboard. The Dutch authorities were praised for their support in hosting the refugees in a friendly manner.
Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Montreal, Eugene Czolij, expressed gratitude towards the Dutch authorities for their assistance in hosting the refugees on the Volendam. The ship captain, Rens Van Eerten, highlighted the Netherlands’ history of aiding refugees in times of crisis, dating back to World War II. When Russia invaded Ukraine, the Dutch government approached Holland America to hire a ship to host the refugees. The residents of the Volendam formed a close-knit community during their stay, and many expressed a desire to remain onboard when it was time to leave.
While the Netherlands and the United States have provided aid to Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia, there is a growing sense of “Ukraine fatigue” in some Western countries. Michael Polak, the Dutch honorary consul in Montreal, noted a shift in commitment towards supporting Ukraine as the conflict drags on. Despite these challenges, President Joe Biden approved a $1 billion military aid package for Ukraine, with further support in the form of air defense capabilities, artillery rounds, and armored vehicles. Eugene Czolij emphasized the importance of continued assistance to help Ukraine defend its territorial integrity and prevent a larger conflict.
The aid package from the United States was viewed as crucial in supporting Ukraine’s efforts in the ongoing war. Czolij warned that if Ukraine were to lose the conflict, it could escalate into a broader conflict with global implications. The urgency of the situation was stressed, with Czolij noting that those experiencing “Ukraine fatigue” fail to recognize the broader significance of the conflict. The ongoing war in Ukraine remains unresolved, highlighting the need for sustained international support to help the country defend itself against Russian aggression and prevent further escalation.
