WILLEMSTAD – Opposition party MAN is calling for an urgent parliamentary question period to examine Curaçao's preparedness for natural disasters and the potential impact of the recent powerful earthquakes in Venezuela.
Member of Parliament Suzy Camelia-Römer has formally requested that Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas appear before Parliament to answer questions about the government's response to the regional emergency and the island's own disaster readiness.
The request follows two major earthquakes that struck Venezuela and prompted an international humanitarian response, including assistance from Curaçao-based rescue teams.
MAN wants the government to explain what concrete assistance Curaçao is providing to Venezuela and how it is coordinating private humanitarian initiatives originating from the island. The party also wants to know whether the government is working with the Venezuelan Consulate to prevent potential abuse of relief efforts.
Beyond humanitarian aid, the opposition is seeking assurances that Curaçao is prepared for any social and economic consequences resulting from the disaster, including the possible arrival of humanitarian refugees from neighboring Venezuela.
The party is also questioning the island's own emergency preparedness.
Camelia-Römer is asking whether the government maintains updated lists of emergency organizations, volunteers, companies with heavy equipment and other resources that could be mobilized during a major disaster. The request specifically mentions the Caribbean Urban Search and Rescue (CUSAR) team, whose members recently returned to Curaçao after participating in rescue operations in Venezuela.
Another key concern is the island's vulnerability to natural hazards.
MAN wants the government to clarify whether Curaçao faces any risk from earthquakes or tsunamis and what preventive measures are in place to protect the population in the event of an earthquake, hurricane or tsunami.
The parliamentary questions also focus on the resilience of Curaçao's critical infrastructure. The opposition is asking how essential services would continue if internet, electricity, drinking water, medical care, the airport, the harbor or electronic payment systems were disrupted during a disaster.
In addition, Camelia-Römer is seeking information on how the government would communicate with the public if both traditional media and social media became unavailable during an emergency.
The opposition also wants to know whether Curaçao has an operational public warning system for disasters and what guidance the government provides to residents to ensure they can survive independently for at least seven days following a major catastrophe.
MAN has asked that the urgent question period be scheduled as soon as possible, saying the Prime Minister should provide Parliament and the public with a structured, official and transparent explanation of the government's disaster preparedness and emergency response plans.