WILLEMSTAD, THE HAGUE - Financial support to the six Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius to overcome the consequences of the corona crisis can amount to one billion euros. Undersecretary Raymond Knops of the Interior and Kingdom Relations has said this in an interview with the Dutch television NOS.

So far, the Netherlands has given over 150 million euros, but this could increase considerably in the near future. Knops: "It is a lot of money, especially if the situation takes longer."

The islands are economically dependent on tourism, and it is questionable when that will get going again. Knops: "Those economies were already weak, and that weakness is further exposed by the corona crisis." The fact that they are small islands also makes them vulnerable to new outbreaks. The limits will be reached again, says Knops.

Strict conditions

Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten are three independent countries within the Kingdom. They have their own government and parliament and are themselves responsible for government and legislation. "They are now knocking on the door at the Netherlands for help," says Knops. "This means that we certainly impose strict conditions on economic aid in the form of loans."

One is that countries must pass on aid to business owners and workers to keep the economy going. The Netherlands will also make demands on government finances. "The three countries had their budgets out of order before the crisis," says Knops.

Knops takes it for granted that the Netherlands provides humanitarian and medical aid. Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius are municipalities of the Netherlands, which are also entitled to financial support. The health situation on the islands is now under control, says the undersecretary. "But they have to remain careful."