THE HAGUE – The Caribbean islands' heavy dependence on imported food, medicine and other essential goods creates a significant vulnerability during natural disasters, according to a new Dutch national security assessment.
The 2026 National Security Risk Assessment warns that disruptions to airports and seaports could quickly affect the availability of essential supplies across the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The findings are contained in the thematic report on Climate and Natural Disasters, prepared by the National Security Analysts Network (ANV).
According to the researchers, the relatively small size of the islands and their limited regular and strategic reserves make them particularly dependent on the continuous arrival of goods from abroad.
When a hurricane, flood or other major disaster damages transportation infrastructure, the consequences can extend beyond the immediate physical destruction.
The interruption of supply routes may affect the availability of drinking water, food, medicines and other materials required for daily life and emergency assistance.
The assessment explains that damaged ports and airports can also prevent emergency supplies from reaching affected populations.
This creates a situation in which the same disaster that increases demand for assistance simultaneously reduces the ability of authorities to deliver it.
The researchers illustrate the problem through a hypothetical Category 5 hurricane affecting Sint Maarten.
In that scenario, severe damage to the airport and seaport significantly complicates the delivery of food, drinking water, medicines and emergency equipment.
The consequences are particularly serious because the island also experiences widespread electricity failures and telecommunications disruptions.
Although the hurricane scenario focuses on Sint Maarten, the report identifies dependence on imported supplies as a broader vulnerability affecting the Caribbean islands.
For Curaçao, the findings raise questions about the resilience of supply chains and the availability of essential goods during prolonged interruptions to normal transportation services.
The assessment does not provide figures showing how many days Curaçao's food or medicine reserves would last during a major emergency.
It also does not establish whether existing stockpiles are adequate or identify particular suppliers as vulnerable.
Nevertheless, the report emphasizes that limited reserves and dependence on external transportation can increase the consequences of natural disasters.
The researchers also identify a related concern involving essential service providers.
Small islands frequently have limited alternatives when a major hospital, electricity supplier or other critical facility becomes unavailable.
If damage to such infrastructure occurs at the same time as a disruption to imported supplies, emergency response and recovery could become more difficult.
The findings suggest that disaster preparedness requires more than protecting buildings and transportation facilities.
Maintaining access to essential supplies, ensuring alternative arrangements and coordinating emergency assistance are also important components of resilience.
The assessment forms part of the Netherlands' broader effort to identify threats that could affect national security across the entire Kingdom.
It does not announce new supply agreements or specific emergency stockpile investments for Curaçao.
However, it identifies the continuity of essential goods and services as a significant issue for future disaster preparedness.