WILLEMSTAD - When asked whether Curaçao is currently experiencing a humanitarian crisis due to Venezuelan migrants, Dutch Member of Parliament Jan Paternotte replied "yes". The Curaçaoan parliamentarian Ana Maria Paulette adds that this does not yet mean that the country has to adjust the policy.

The parliamentarians from Curaçao, the Netherlands and Aruba met last week in Curaçao during the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO). Curaçao and Aruba are flooded by Venezuelan migrants who are fleeing their homeland due to the economic situation. This was high on the agenda during the IPKO.

The Red Cross in Curaçao estimates that about 6,000 to 16,000 Venezuelans are staying on the island and that by the end of 2020 this number could even rise to 21,000. The costs that come with is just too much for Curaçao, that is the message that Crisis and Disaster Coordinator Lesley Fer gave during his presentation to the Kingdom MPs.

To gain a better understanding of the impact of this crisis, the parliamentarians have visited the free health clinic for migrants "Salu pa Tur" and the Red Cross in Curaçao. They also visited the alien barracks of the Sentro di Detenshon i Korekshon Kòrsou prison (SDKK). According to the agreement list, the IPKO delegations agree that inhumane reception must be prevented and want to set up a task force for this.

The IPKO is a platform where parliamentarians exchange information about important Kingdom affairs. This year the effect of the Venezuelan crisis on the ABC Islands was central.