WILLEMSTAD - Saturday 25 April, Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath and Minister Hensley Felix Koeiman of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW) paid a visit to the Food Bank. At that time, 1,500 food packages were loaded to be delivered to the various central delivery addresses.

They were informed by the steering group of the Cooperating Aid Organizations Curaçao about the activities and results to date. Symbolically, the 5000th package was also shown to both ministers, which was handed over to a family the same day.

The COVID-19 virus has led to a major economic crisis in Curaçao. Many people who were working are now without work or income and therefore without food. Several people have taken the initiative to help each other by handing out food packages. Providing food to thousands of families without forgetting any or receiving double is a major challenge. Six organizations have joined forces to use the existing resources and networks to set up a large production for Food Bank Curaçao. The Aid to Curaçao Foundation, Fundashon Kòrsou Solidario i Duradero, Unidat di Bario Kòrsou, Pastoral Social Caritas Willemstad, Human Rights Defense Curaçao, Aliansa Curaçao and Rotary Club Willemstad form the platform Cooperating Aid Organizations Curaçao (SHC).

Due to an increase in the number of requests for help, the Food Bank, in collaboration with SHC, has increased the production of food packages to 2,000 packages per week. This has consequences for purchasing, setting up the production line, the number of volunteers, logistics and distribution. The first production took place on Good Friday (April 10) and 850 packages were produced. 1,000 food packages per day were made on Wednesday 15, Friday 17 April and Wednesday 22 April. Friday April 24, production has been scaled up again to 1,500 packages. A total of 5,350 packages were made. The packages are distributed to the delivery addresses the day after production via various aid organizations.

As of April 10, 5,000 addresses have been included in the database. Every application is carefully assessed and fully registered.

The person who needs a food package can register. Depending on the situation, each person can register with one of the three authorities below:

● SOAW: You have no income and no benefits (little to no income). Call 510 2044.

● Human Right Defense Curaçao (especially for undocumented migrants). Call 696 2523.

● Food bank: (urgent help needed). WhatsApp 529 1919.

There are many sympathetic initiatives from people who sell products and donate the proceeds from the sale to the Food Bank. Families, colleagues and friends who collect and hand out food packages. We very much welcome this and our goal is that no one is left without food. Any cooperation and help for proper coordination of the food packages is welcome. Sharing the addresses who gets a food package helps enormously.