WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao's disaster management authorities are continuing efforts to improve public awareness and emergency preparedness, bringing together government agencies and emergency response organizations during the fourth edition of the “Ami Ta Prepará Expo” at Brionplein in Otrobanda.
SOAW representative at the "Ami Ta Prepará Expo"
The event, held on Saturday, October 17, focused on helping residents understand how to prepare for emergencies, what to do during evacuations, and how Curaçao's disaster response system operates.
Organized by the Directorate of Risk and Disaster Management (DRR), the expo involved government services and organizations participating in the Crisis and Disaster Management Organization (CRBO).
This year's theme, “Mi Ta Prepará,” or “I Am Prepared,” emphasized the importance of individual and household responsibility in disaster preparedness.
One of the participating government agencies was the Ministry of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW), which operates Emergency Support Function 7 (ESF7).
Between 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., the ESF7 team provided information about evacuation procedures, emergency supplies, and the operation of government shelters.
Visitors were also introduced to the responsibilities of the various agencies involved in Curaçao's emergency response system.
According to SOAW, the CRBO consists of ten Emergency Support Functions, each assigned a specific responsibility during a crisis or disaster.
When an emergency occurs, the relevant support functions coordinate their activities through the crisis management organization.
The system is intended to bring together the different government services and emergency response organizations needed to address a disaster.
SOAW's responsibilities include managing government shelters and providing social support to residents affected by emergencies.
The expo also introduced a new interactive activity, the “Ami Ta Prepará Scavenger Hunt,” which involved teams of up to five participants completing a car-based scavenger hunt.
The activity offered a grand prize of up to 2,500 Netherlands Antillean guilders, according to the event announcement.
The initiative added an interactive element to the public awareness campaign, encouraging participation while drawing attention to disaster preparedness.
SOAW expressed appreciation to residents who attended the expo and thanked its partners within CRBO for their cooperation.
The ministry emphasized that public education remains an important component of disaster management, particularly because emergencies can place considerable demands on government services and response personnel.
Officials are encouraging residents to remain informed through the “Ami Ta Prepará” social media pages and the official channels of the Government of Curaçao.
The ministry also reminded the public that hurricane season continues until November 30 and that residents should take preparedness measures before a potential emergency develops.