ORANJESTAD, Aruba — The Aruba Venezuela Aid Team has received official recognition from the Government of Aruba for its courage, dedication and humanitarian service following the devastating earthquake in Venezuela.
Prime Minister Mike Eman, Dutch Minister for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg and Ministry of General Affairs Secretary General Robert Candelaria met with volunteers and professionals at Aruba’s Crisis Management Office.
The meeting recognized everyone who contributed to the humanitarian operation, including those who travelled to Venezuela and those who coordinated the mission from Aruba.
Special appreciation was expressed to the Aruba Red Cross, the Crisis Management Office, the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Foreign Relations and other participating organizations.
Dutch Government Praises Humanitarian Work
Van der Burg said it was important to meet personally with the team and communicate the Dutch government’s appreciation for its work.
He noted that organizations such as the Red Cross, the Crisis Management Office and Defence remain prepared to respond when emergencies occur within the region.
The mission required participants to work under demanding logistical, physical and emotional conditions.
Team members encountered widespread suffering and situations in which not every affected person could immediately receive the assistance they needed.
Despite these challenges, the volunteers and professionals demonstrated courage, compassion and dedication throughout the operation.
Van der Burg said the rapid response demonstrated the importance of cooperation and solidarity among the countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Aruba’s Connection With Venezuela
Prime Minister Eman highlighted the longstanding historical, cultural and family connections between Aruba and Venezuela.
Aruba is home to a large Venezuelan community, and many residents have family members, friends and personal connections in the neighbouring country.
Eman said Aruba experienced the tragedy not only as an island seeking to assist a country in need, but also as a community with a deep connection to the Venezuelan people.
Shortly after the earthquake, the Government of Aruba met with the Crisis Management Office and national justice and security organizations to evaluate the situation and determine how the island could provide assistance.
Planning, international coordination and preparations for the mission began following those discussions.
Organizations Coordinated Emergency Response
The prime minister praised the Aruba Red Cross and the Crisis Management Office for responding rapidly to the emergency.
He also thanked the Ministry of Defence for helping transport the Aruban team safely to Venezuela aboard a Coast Guard aircraft.
The Department of Foreign Relations and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Venezuela maintained close communication with the team throughout the mission.
Embassy representatives visited the Aruban group to confirm that its members were safely accommodated and working in an appropriate location.
Officials said protecting the volunteers was a major priority while the team delivered assistance in the affected areas.
Volunteers Describe Difficult Conditions
Aruba Red Cross representative Marylaine Lopez said the mission involved long working days and difficult conditions under the intense heat in La Guaira.
The Aruba Venezuela Aid Team worked with the Venezuelan Red Cross, humanitarian organizations and the Netherlands Urban Search and Rescue team.
When the volunteers arrived in the disaster area, they encountered an operation that still required significant organization and assistance.
The team worked in camps, hospitals and streets throughout the affected communities.
Volunteers witnessed the destruction at close range and spoke with residents experiencing fear, grief and uncertainty.
Lopez said the team worked hard throughout its deployment but still felt that more assistance was needed.
She expressed pride in what the volunteers accomplished while acknowledging that the recovery process would take considerable time.
Emotional Impact on Aid Workers
Aruba Red Cross volunteer Marla Thiel, who previously participated in humanitarian missions in Haiti and other countries, described the Venezuela operation as emotionally difficult.
One of the most challenging moments involved meeting a man who reportedly lost his home, three children and his mother during the disaster.
Despite his losses, he remained in the affected area to help other families search for missing relatives.
Thiel said stories like his reflected both the deep suffering experienced by survivors and the strength of people supporting others during the emergency.
She also raised concerns about the long-term psychological effects of the disaster on residents who lost relatives, homes and livelihoods.
Lopez and Thiel were present during the final stages of an extended rescue operation and assisted near an ambulance while a patient was transported to a hospital.
Recognition Includes Aruba-Based Personnel
Officials emphasized that the recognition extended beyond those who travelled to Venezuela.
It also included individuals who remained in Aruba to coordinate transportation, equipment, communications, security and other logistical requirements.
Prime Minister Eman thanked the Crisis Management Office under the coordination of Rino Hermans, the Aruba Red Cross, the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Foreign Relations and the Dutch embassy.
Van der Burg said the operation demonstrated that solidarity within the Kingdom works in every direction.
The recognition ceremony concluded with words of gratitude for the courage, humanity and commitment shown by every member of the Aruba Venezuela Aid Team.
