ORANJESTAD, Aruba — The FCVR Aruba shelter is expected to undergo major renovations beginning Monday, with Fundacion Contra Violencia Relacional hoping to officially reopen the facility before the end of 2026.
FCVR Director Esther Broeksema said improving the condition of the shelter has been one of her main priorities since taking leadership of the foundation.
After determining that conditions at the facility had become increasingly concerning, Broeksema invited the Minister of Social Affairs, FCVR’s board and Parliament’s Social Affairs Committee to visit the shelter and see the situation firsthand.
The foundation subsequently applied for special government funding to renovate its residential units and restore the facility to a condition suitable for receiving clients.
Renovation Work Begins Monday
Broeksema said FCVR received the necessary funding from the Government of Aruba in May.
A public procurement process was launched shortly afterward so a contractor could be selected and renovation work could begin.
According to the current schedule, renovation of the FCVR Aruba shelter will start Monday and is expected to take approximately three months.
If the project remains on schedule, the foundation hopes to celebrate the official reopening of the shelter before the end of the year.
Broeksema said the shelter has been unable to receive residents since January 2026 because of the condition of the facility.
The reopening would allow FCVR to once again provide a secure residential environment for people who need immediate protection and support.
Shelter Capacity Important for Aruba
Broeksema also highlighted Aruba’s intention to ratify the Istanbul Convention, an international framework addressing violence against women and domestic violence.
According to Broeksema, shelter capacity is one of the issues countries must consider when working to meet international standards for protecting people affected by domestic and gender-based violence.
She said FCVR currently has 16 units available for shelter services and emphasized that maintaining those facilities requires consistent financial resources.
Providing shelter capacity alone is not enough, she explained. Facilities must also remain safe, functional and properly maintained so services can continue without interruption.
Safe Accommodation for Survivors
FCVR provides residential services for people affected by relational, domestic and gender-based violence.
Its shelter services are designed to offer temporary safe accommodation while clients receive additional assistance and guidance.
Renovating the FCVR Aruba shelter is therefore expected to restore an important part of the foundation’s ability to respond when residents require immediate protection.
Broeksema has emphasized that adequate facilities are essential not only for providing temporary accommodation but also for ensuring that clients can receive support in a safe and dignified environment.
Reopening Expected Before End of 2026
With funding secured and construction scheduled to begin, FCVR is now looking toward completing the project within approximately three months.
The foundation hopes that the renovation will resolve the facility problems that have prevented it from accepting shelter residents since the beginning of the year.
If work progresses according to plan, the FCVR Aruba shelter could officially reopen before the end of 2026.
For Broeksema, the renovation represents an important step toward restoring a critical service for Aruba residents who need protection from domestic and gender-based violence while ensuring the foundation has suitable facilities to continue its work.
