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LOCAL Wednesday 20 January 2021

Secretary of State for the Dutch Caribbean islands Raymond Knops:

"This summer Aruba must take care themselves of all social

assistance and food aid"

By Caribisch Netwerk
ORANJESTAD — At the mo-
ment a quarter of the Aru-
ban population depends
on food aid. But from this
summer onwards, the is-
land itself should be able
again to help this group
and other people who rely
on, for example, the Emer-
gency Social Assistance
Fund (FASE) due to the co-
rona crisis.
Caribisch Netwerk, Red Cross director Michel La Haye explains
This is what State Secre- the food coupon to State Secretary Raymond Knops Aruba to me
tary Raymond Knops says
during his working visit to need of help do not have takes care of everything
Aruba, where he also vis- legal status. Aid organiza- that concerns assistance to
ited the Red Cross. "These tions already estimated in their people in the coming
are gigantic numbers that April last year that this num- period. ”With regards to the
have been dependent on ber is about 20 thousand. undocumented migrants
food aid for a long time." It The undocumented are who need help, the Dutch
has not yet been decided not entitled to assistance administrator thinks that
whether the Netherlands from the government so Aruba should act upon. “I
will again give money for they should seek help from think this is a problem that
emergency aid. “Those de- the aid organizations, said has now clearly surfaced
cisions will be made shortly, the Aruban prime minister and the country of Aruba
so I cannot anticipate that. last year. However, the Red cannot ignore it. You can-
At the same time, I also Cross does not receive any not use the undocument-
add, and that has now also money from the local gov- ed in the economy at times ORANJESTAD — You are back and we would like to
been my signal to the Aru- ernment for this support. when the need is high and portrait you! By inviting you to send us your favorite
ban government: we will The millions they received when a crisis occurs point vacation picture while enjoying our Happy Island.
be a year later soon, are last year were donated by out to these people as the
we still talking about emer- the Dutch government. first to take the blow and Complete the sentence: Aruba to me is ……. Send
gency aid or is this a situa- Knops again emphasizes say: now we do not need your picture with that text (including your name and
tion that had to be dealt that agreements have you anymore. ” where you are from) to: news@arubatoday.com and
with by the country itself? ” been made with Aruba The land packages which we will publish your vacation memory. Isn’t that a spe-
The Red Cross reports that stating the island will han- are agreed with the Dutch cial way to keep your best moments alive? Please do
during the corona crisis dle everything itself from for Aruba, Curaçao and St. note: By submitting photos, text or any other materi-
it distributed 75,000 hot the summer onwards. “Ev- Maarten also contain mea- als, you give permission to The Aruba Today Newspa-
meals in Aruba and 8,000 erything that has to do with sures to tackle illegal work per, Caribbean Speed Printers and any of its affiliated
e-vouchers with which welfare, social assistance, and also to prevent for- companies to use said materials, as well as names,
20,000 people could shop. special assistance, food aid eign workers from working likeness, etc. for promotional purposes without com-
They have also supported will no longer be a Kingdom illegally on the islands. But pensation.
more than 100 doctor visits task, nor is it the task of an Knops says there must also
to patients. Other aid orga- emergency relief organiza- be a safety net for people Last but not least: check out our website, Instagram
nizations also provide thou- tion such as the Red Cross. who have absolutely noth- and Facebook page! Thank you for supporting our
sands of people with meals At least not in the size as ing. "A lot has to be done free newspaper, we strive to make you a happy read-
and food every week. they do now. It is important in this area in the coming er every day again.q
Many of the families in that the country of Aruba months." q