WILLEMSTAD – Vulnerable households in Curaçao are still being disconnected from drinking water, despite political recognition of the issue and previous legal action aimed at addressing it.
This was highlighted during an international webinar by the organization Hende i Medio Ambiente (HiMA), where new figures were presented showing that the problem remains ongoing.
According to HiMA, the Ombudsman of Curaçao received twelve formal complaints in 2025 related to water disconnections. Behind these complaints are households that have been left without access to clean drinking water, often under already difficult living conditions.
The situation is considered striking, as the issue has been on the political agenda for some time. Parliament previously adopted a motion calling for a structural solution in collaboration with the island’s water company. However, despite this, disconnections are still taking place.
No structural change
A legal case filed by HiMA in 2023, which centered on access to water as a human right, also failed to bring about changes in practice. While the court rejected the claim, the case drew both national and international attention to the issue.
HiMA chairwoman Yvonne Olf emphasized during the webinar that the matter goes beyond administrative procedures. She described access to water as a fundamental issue tied to dignity, public health, and basic human rights.
The organization noted that the impact is particularly severe for elderly residents and low-income households. In some cases, affected individuals are unable to navigate complex administrative procedures required to seek assistance or challenge disconnections.
HiMA also pointed out that water access challenges are not unique to Curaçao, but occur globally. However, the consequences on the island can be more severe due to its reliance on artificially produced drinking water and relatively limited social safety nets.
The organization is calling on the government and relevant institutions to treat water policy more explicitly as a human rights issue, with a stronger focus on affordability and the protection of vulnerable groups.
According to HiMA, acknowledging the problem is not enough. The organization argues that even when institutions recognize shortcomings, this does not automatically translate into meaningful change for those most affected.