In May, HIAS Aruba invited dignitaries to the inauguration of its new Community Center, in Eagle. Since 2019, HIAS Aruba has been offering humanitarian aid to refugees, and migrants, on the island, as they interact and experience their host community, Aruba.
Over the past three years HIAS has reached more than 5,000 persons providing support for those most vulnerable. The services HIAS offers include psychosocial support, some cash in certain cases, food vouchers, kids’ school registration, coverage of basic medical costs, economic inclusion, language courses, gender-based violence prevention and response and increased community-based protection.
HIAS has decided to open the Multi-functional Community Center where activities, workshops, language courses and support groups could take place in comfort and ease, additionally, the Community Center will have spaces available for community-based organizations and groups who need a place to self-organize or conduct activities gratis.
The center aims to promote effective inclusion of all people by providing a safe space for refugees, migrants, and host communities, a place where people can meet, learn and develop solutions for daily challenges.
Prime Minister, Evelyn Wever-Croes, was guest of honor at the opening, together with the Minister of Labor, Integration and Energy, and consular representatives of various regional countries. The prime minister talked about inclusion and prosperity, in the tourist sector, making no promises to the HIAS community.
According to HIAS there are 3,500 vetted, registered migrants and refugees in the center’s data base, which could be integrated into Aruba’s labor market if political will exists, and some arrangement with Immigration and the Labor Department is reached.
Unfortunately, these two important pieces of the puzzle are not in good terms, and as a result Aruba’s labor shortage is widely affecting business here.
The Aruba Food & Beverage Association, AF&BA, is organizing a Job Fair on June 12th, 2024, with 60 restaurants and bars in attendance, ready to recruit fresh talent at the Renaissance Convention Center. This initiative is blessed by the Aruba Tourism Authority & AF&BA.
