Aruba Offers Humanitarian Assistance to Venezuela and Publishes Emergency Contact Numbers

ORANJESTAD — The Government of Aruba has expressed its solidarity with Venezuela following the powerful earthquakes that struck the neighbouring country. According to an official statement, Aruba is prepared to provide humanitarian assistance in any form that may be necessary and feasible. The government has also published emergency contact numbers for people seeking assistance or information about relatives and others affected in Venezuela.

The government stated that it will continue to monitor developments closely and will keep the Aruban community informed as soon as additional official information becomes available.

The statement follows two powerful earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela in quick succession on Wednesday evening. The earthquakes caused extensive damage to homes, public buildings and infrastructure, while rescue teams continued searching for victims and people who may remain trapped beneath the rubble.

Aruba prepared to provide assistance

In its Spanish-language statement, the government said:

“Aruba is prepared to provide humanitarian assistance in any form. The Government of Aruba expresses its solidarity with Venezuela.”

The statement indicates that Aruba is willing to support Venezuela in different ways. However, the government has not yet announced whether specific arrangements have been made to deploy rescue personnel, medical teams, food, drinking water, technical assistance or other relief supplies.

It has also not been clarified whether any Aruban assistance would be coordinated directly with the Venezuelan authorities or through the Kingdom of the Netherlands, international humanitarian organisations or diplomatic channels.

Crisis Management Office contact number

People in Aruba who require assistance or information may contact the Crisis Management Office at:

Crisis Management Office Aruba
Telephone: 588-0100

CMO is responsible for crisis preparedness, operational coordination and the exchange of information during emergency situations.

The government’s statement does not specify the exact type of assistance available through this number. Callers are therefore advised to provide as much information as possible about the person, location or emergency situation concerned.

Department of Foreign Relations

The Department of Foreign Relations of Aruba is also available to provide information:

Department of Foreign Relations
Telephone: 583-4705

This department may assist with diplomatic coordination between Aruba, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Venezuelan authorities.

Aruba and Venezuela share close geographical, historical, cultural, economic and family ties. Many residents of Aruba have relatives, friends or business contacts in Venezuela, meaning that the disaster has also caused considerable concern within the Aruban community.

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Caracas

People who are currently in Venezuela, or who require information from the diplomatic representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, may contact:

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Caracas
Telephone: +58 21 22 76 93 00

The embassy provides consular assistance to Dutch nationals and others who fall under the consular responsibility of the Kingdom.

Its ability to provide services during a large-scale disaster may be affected by damaged infrastructure, power failures and disruptions to telephone and internet connections.

People who are unable to make immediate contact are advised to try again later and continue following official information channels.

International relief efforts beginning

Several countries have offered assistance to Venezuela. International reports indicate that rescue teams, medical support, technical assistance and humanitarian supplies are being prepared.

The Venezuelan authorities have declared a state of emergency and have indicated that rescue operations and damage assessments remain in progress. The country’s need for international support may therefore change as more information becomes available.

No details yet on the scope of Aruba’s assistance

Aruba’s offer of assistance remains a general commitment at this stage. The government has not yet published details concerning:

• available rescue capacity;
• possible medical or technical teams;
• transportation options to Venezuela;
• available emergency supplies;
• financial resources for disaster relief;
• or a timetable for deployment.

Any operational deployment would normally require coordination with the Venezuelan authorities and possibly with the Kingdom of the Netherlands and international relief organisations.

Government continues to monitor developments

The Government of Aruba stated that it will continue monitoring the situation closely. New official information will be shared with the public as soon as it becomes available.

The published contact numbers are intended to serve as initial points of contact for people concerned about relatives or acquaintances in Venezuela.

The government has also urged the public to continue following official reports and to treat unverified information, images and videos circulating on social media with caution.

The statement marks Aruba’s official expression of solidarity with Venezuela and opens the possibility of concrete humanitarian cooperation once the needs of the affected country have been more fully assessed.