The Government of Aruba has expressed its deep solidarity with the Venezuelan people following the powerful earthquake that struck Venezuela, causing a large number of casualties and material damage, especially in the La Guaira area.
From early in the morning, Prime Minister Mike Eman met with the director of the Crisis Management Office (CMO), Rino Hermans, Police Commissioner (KPA) Ramon Arnhem, and Susan de Lange from the Aruba Security Service (VDA) to assess the situation and coordinate the initial steps that Aruba can take.
Following the meeting, the Government established contact with the Consul of Venezuela in Aruba, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Caracas, Carmen Gonsalves, and various entities within the Kingdom to receive the most updated information and determine how Aruba can offer support.
“We express our solidarity with the community of Venezuela, with the country of Venezuela, and at the same time convey Aruba’s willingness to assist in any way with humanitarian aid,” Prime Minister Mike Eman declared.
According to the information received by the Government, the La Guaira area is among the hardest-hit places, and the death toll continues to rise. The ambassador informed that all personnel of the Dutch Embassy survived the worst. Two collaborators lost their homes due to the strong earthquake, but as of this moment, there is no indication that any Arubans have been affected.
“The next 48 hours are very crucial for professional search and rescue to attend to the people who may still be trapped under the collapsed buildings,” Prime Minister Eman indicated.
The Prime Minister stated that Aruba is in contact with the competent authorities within the Kingdom to determine what Aruba can do to help Venezuela. He recalled that Aruba has experience with humanitarian assistance following natural disasters, including the support provided to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.
“We have the experience, and we are prepared to go and provide assistance to Venezuela, especially in the search and rescue of people who may be under the collapsed buildings.”
Prime Minister Eman also expressed his solidarity with the Venezuelan community in Aruba, recognizing the uncertainty that many families are currently living through.
“We want to express our words of solidarity with the Venezuelan community in Aruba. I can only imagine how many families are living in anxiety at this moment.”
Regarding the reopening of the aerial connection with Venezuela, the Prime Minister indicated that the current situation was just evaluated in the Council of Ministers last Tuesday.
“This topic was discussed yesterday in the Council of Ministers. We will evaluate if the original plan to resume flights is still possible to start on the first of August, considering the state of the Maiquetia airport. If circumstances permit, the aerial connection for humanitarian assistance can be opened immediately.”
For assistance and information, the CMO is available at 588 0100. The Department of Foreign Relations (DBB) can be contacted at 583 4705, and the Dutch Embassy in Caracas at +58 21 22 76 93 00.
The Government of Aruba will continue to closely monitor the development of the situation and will keep the community informed as soon as more official information is available.
