WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao could face serious problems maintaining essential services during a prolonged disaster, with a new crisis-preparedness study warning that fuel rationing may keep critical operations running for only about three days.
The assessment by consultancy Crisisplan examined how Curaçao would cope with major emergencies and found that the island could initially manage a large-scale crisis using its own resources. The situation becomes considerably more vulnerable if the emergency continues.
Fuel availability is identified as one of the main risks. According to the study, rationing could allow the most important processes to continue for a maximum of around three days.
After that period, emergency services, hospitals and the drinking water supply could be affected if normal fuel supplies cannot be restored.
The findings highlight Curaçao’s dependence on a relatively small number of critical systems and resources during prolonged emergencies. Medical capacity, shelter facilities and the availability of trained crisis personnel are also identified as vulnerabilities.
Extreme weather presents another challenge. Crisisplan examined a scenario in which Curaçao receives approximately 270 millimeters of rain within 50 hours. Under such conditions, roads could become impassable and airport operations could be disrupted. Researchers also concluded that existing drainage systems are not designed to cope with flooding caused by prolonged heavy rainfall.
The report also examined scenarios involving an aircraft accident, a cruise ship incident and a cyberattack affecting Aqualectra’s electricity and drinking water operations.
Crisisplan recommends additional emergency provisions and stronger cooperation between organizations responsible for crisis management.
The findings suggest that Curaçao’s main challenge is not necessarily responding to the first hours of a disaster, but maintaining essential services when a major emergency lasts several days and local resources begin to run out.