ORANJESTAD (AAN) – Eduard Pieters, leader of the PPA Party, has emphasized that Aruba must move away from a reactive approach to crisis management and instead focus on long-term planning and preparedness.
In an interview with DIARIO, Pieters reflected on a recent meeting with the Crisis Management Office (CMO) held in Parliament, which he described as very informative. He noted that Parliament members had requested the meeting some time ago, but due to scheduling constraints, it only recently took place.
“What became very clear is that Aruba can no longer remain in a phase where we only act once a problem arises,” Pieters said. “We need to plan more, set clearer priorities, and continue working on making Aruba more resilient.”
According to Pieters, since 2018 the government has taken steps to prioritize planning aimed at strengthening Aruba’s ability to withstand various shocks, whether geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, or other types of crises.
The PPA leader added that several plans have been presented that require continued attention and funding from the current government. He stressed the importance of establishing a dedicated crisis fund, noting that while investment funds are often discussed, crisis preparedness funding remains insufficiently addressed.
“We should not wait until a disaster occurs before making these funds available,” Pieters stated. “The resources must already be in place so that when a crisis reaches our doorstep, we can respond effectively.”
Pieters also expressed concern over public statements suggesting that the CMO has no reason to exist. He described such claims as unfortunate and indicative of a lack of understanding about global developments and the vulnerability of small countries like Aruba.
Photo Credits : https://diario.aw/categories/noticia/general/aruba-no-por-sigui-den-e-fase-di-ora-tin-problema-ta-core-solucion-e
