THE HAGUE – Curaçao and the other five Caribbean islands within the Kingdom of the Netherlands remain vulnerable if confronted with a major or prolonged disaster, with weaknesses identified in medical capacity, crisis staffing, communications, logistics, emergency shelter and transportation.
The findings come from a new study by research agency Crisisplan commissioned by the Dutch Ministries of Justice and Security and Interior and Kingdom Relations. The assessment covers Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.
Researchers examined crisis-management capacity on each island and tested it against three risk scenarios. They identified vulnerabilities in training and education, backup staffing within crisis organizations, information management, specialist expertise, medical capacity, critical dependencies, logistics, shelter and transportation. Authorities involved in crisis management have acknowledged those weaknesses.
The findings are particularly significant for small islands, where emergency organizations have limited personnel and equipment. A large-scale or prolonged emergency can quickly exhaust available local capacity, while geographical isolation makes outside assistance more difficult to deliver.
Medical care is one of the areas of concern. A major incident involving large numbers of casualties could quickly put pressure on available hospital beds, ambulances, intensive-care capacity and healthcare personnel.
The report also raises concerns about continuity within crisis organizations. Because many emergency teams are relatively small, the same personnel may have to remain operational for extended periods during a prolonged emergency. Without sufficient backup personnel, exhaustion can become an additional risk.
Communications are another vulnerability. Major disruptions to electricity, telecommunications or internet infrastructure could make it significantly more difficult for authorities to communicate with residents and tourists during an emergency.
The problems extend offshore. Crisisplan recommends strengthening joint Search and Rescue capacity for large-scale maritime incidents. For Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, maritime search-and-rescue coordination is currently the responsibility of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard.
The Dutch government says the Coast Guard is already being strengthened through investments in personnel and equipment. It also wants to examine agreements with shipping companies and maritime service providers that could make private vessels and resources available during major emergencies.
The study comes after earlier warnings about emergency preparedness in the Dutch Caribbean. In November 2025, the Dutch Inspectorate of Justice and Security concluded that Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba were still insufficiently prepared for disasters and crises and that four of five earlier recommendations had not yet been fully implemented.
The new Crisisplan study expands the assessment to all six Caribbean islands, including the autonomous countries Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten.
The Dutch government says the findings demonstrate that both essential services and the organization of crisis management require further strengthening. However, it also cautions that improvements will have to be introduced gradually because of financial and personnel limitations.
The vulnerability is not limited to hurricanes. Dutch authorities increasingly view Caribbean preparedness in the context of extreme weather, disruption of essential infrastructure, migration, geopolitical tensions and other large-scale emergencies.
The government said the study will now serve as a basis for determining which capabilities should be strengthened locally and which can more effectively be organized jointly across the Kingdom.