WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao government has preparations for a possible repatriation flight on standby following Monday’s earthquake in Colombia, but says there are currently no other Curaçao residents identified as needing evacuation.
The government began preparations after the August 10 earthquake affected parts of Colombia, with authorities examining options to assist Curaçao residents and, if necessary, organize a flight to bring them back to the island.
However, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bogotá has so far not identified additional Curaçao residents who need to be repatriated.
As a result, preparations for a possible flight remain on standby.
The government confirmed Tuesday that one Curaçao resident died in the earthquake and three others were injured.
Authorities are working with the Dutch embassy and the family of the deceased to arrange the return of the victim’s remains to Curaçao. The government is awaiting authorization from Colombian authorities before that process can proceed.
Register When Traveling Abroad
Following the disaster, the Curaçao government is again urging residents traveling abroad to register their stay with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
According to the government, registration gives authorities a clearer picture of where Curaçao residents are located and makes it easier to provide assistance when a natural disaster or another emergency occurs.
The Colombia earthquake has demonstrated the importance of authorities being able to quickly establish whether Curaçao residents are in affected areas and determine whether they require assistance.
The director of Curaçao’s Risk Management Directorate has been assigned to coordinate the government’s response to the situation in Colombia.
For now, the government continues to monitor developments and remains prepared to activate repatriation arrangements if Curaçao residents are subsequently identified as needing assistance to return home.