WILLEMSTAD – The Ombudsman of Curaçao has once again raised concerns about poverty on the island, calling on the government to take concrete action and respond to earlier recommendations that have remained unanswered since 2022.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW), the Ombudsman reminded authorities of proposals made during a Kingdom conference aimed at addressing poverty. According to the Ombudsman, there has been no formal response or visible progress on these recommendations to date.
The proposals include strengthening the social safety net, establishing a free legal aid desk, and improving access to education and healthcare, particularly for vulnerable groups within society.
The Ombudsman emphasized that poverty should not be viewed solely through statistics, but as a human issue that directly affects people’s living conditions and daily lives.
Given the urgency of the situation, the Ombudsman is urging the government to provide clarity on the status of these recommendations and to outline concrete steps toward implementation.
The office also called for immediate action, stressing that no one in Curaçao should be left without support.