WILLEMSTAD - Critical increase in unemployment, structural poverty and serious social problems, these are the main scars that COVID-19 has caused in various deprived neighborhoods on Curaçao.
The number of cases of Covid-19 infection has fallen significantly and measures have been relaxed. However, when one takes stock of the impact of COVID-19, along with that of the lockdowns, one can conclude that the damage is significant. This mainly applies to neighborhoods with less affluent residents. Caribbean Network spoke with some community workers, who explained the so-called 'post-COVID situation'.
The Bonam district and surroundings - 'More poverty'
“There was already a lot of poverty, but after COVID-19, this is even more noticeable.” This explains Anelga Cicilia, president of the Bonam Neighborhood Center. Cicilia is a retired teacher who works as a volunteer for the neighborhood. The neighborhoods that fall under the Buurtcentrum Bonam and surroundings are: Jongbloed, Bonam, Kirindongo Abou, Sapateer, Ronde Klip Cocori, Koraal Tabak, Koraal Partier and Abrahamsz.
Anelga Cicilia explains that many people have also lost their jobs in this area. “From one day to the next, people with a good salary had nothing left.” A year and a half after Covid arrived in Curaçao: There is already poverty, but Bonam is a neighborhood that does not easily ask for help. With the arrival of COVID, small numbers of residents in need have knocked on the door of the community center, looking for help. Meanwhile, more than 500 people have sought help. They have been eligible for food packages, in the aid project that the Food Bank coordinates. The situation is still problematic for the less well-off residents, according to Anelga Cicilia.
The Bandabou district – ‘Work and training are urgent’
After COVID-19, it became clearer that urgent work and social education is needed in Bandabou for the residents of this part of Curaçao. Jahaira Muzo coordinates the projects of the Mangusa Foundation in Bandabou. The Mangusa Foundation works with families, children and young people in Banda Bou, in the field of education and social training, and has existed for 50 years.
Jahaira Muzo explains that for Banda Bou, the conditions were not good before Covid-19. “Most families are either families with a single mother, or on welfare, or only the father has a job.”
Several families became victims of COVID-19 and lost relatives. They are not over it yet because they have no work. In addition, over the past 20 years there has been no attention for the development of Bandabou. “Almost nothing has happened in the field of social education and family counseling.” COVID has made the situation worse and that is one of the main consequences of the pandemic for the people of Bandabou.
Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, who comes from Bandabou, recently made a tour with Undersecretary Raymond Knops through the poor neighborhoods of Bandabou. Underscretary Knops noted that in these neighborhoods there is also a lot of hope that the Prime Minister will help them. Jahaira Muzo confirms that Bandabou's hopes are pinned on the new government and hopes for more attention to the situation in that area.
Souax – ‘Local residents remain in need’
Compared to the group of foreign residents, local residents of the Souax district ignore the help provided to alleviate COVID-19. The result of this is that the Post Covid period in the Souax district keeps a large group in poverty. Souax is a neighborhood that consists of three parts: Souax Ariba (North) known as Seru Kandela, Souax Pabou (West) and Souax Pariba (East). On Seru Kandela, the population is mixed and multicultural. This explains Romeo Welvaart of the Fundashon Kompromiso.
Romeo Welvaart: “The scar that COVID-19 has left in Souax is: broken families and great poverty in the neighborhood. There is now a great lack of food in the district. In addition, many people are unable to complete the eligibility forms for government assistance. The culture that the locals do not like to seek help means that, unlike the foreigners, they do not benefit enough from the help offered.” Welvaart explains: When we worked on Seru Kandela, we received a lot of packages through the Red Cross. Everyone in need is eligible for this, but out of shame the local residents do not ask for help.” Welvaart: “The foreigners will come. The Curaçao citizen prefers to stay inside with hunger rather than seek help.” When asked what the solution could be Welvaart replied: “I think we have to keep motivating people. Because it is a problem of our culture that we are ashamed to ask for and accept help. It is not easy because this is passed down from generation to generation.”
By Dulce Koopman