Aruba

Aruba

HIAS Aruba staff assists asylum seekers with registration for the COVID-19 vaccination. (HIAS Aruba)

Country Director

Francesco Volpi

Office Location

Oranjestad

Founded

2019

Staff Size

24

Connect

+297 730 7770

Since 2014, Aruba has become a destination for Venezuelan refugees and migrants. With a population of just over 110,000, Aruba hosts an estimated 17,000 Venezuelans. In 2019, Aruba’s government received more than 2,000 requests for asylum, yet most were rejected, leaving the majority of Venezuelans on the island without protection, access to basic health services, or legal employment. HIAS Aruba helps many vulnerable groups, including single women, women-headed households, survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), survivors of torture, older people, people with disabilities and serious medical conditions, and LGBTQ refugees.

HIAS Aruba’s programs help refugees and asylum seekers to integrate into the local community. HIAS also provides training and remote services to refugees and migrants in Curacao and the Northern Caribbean.

95

service providers and officials trained and supported

Our Work

HIAS assesses and responds to the needs of vulnerable Venezuelans, helping to strengthen their ability to mitigate risks and live in dignity and safety. HIAS Aruba promotes local integration through the provision of services and access to rights, and supports improved access to education and health services.

We work to protect the right of women, girls, and LGBTQ communities to access their full potential and live free from violence by supporting survivors, mitigating risks, and transforming beliefs that perpetuate GBV.

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CREDIT: Jessica Masibo / HIAS Kenya

HIAS’ community-based mental health programs promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities affected by crisis and conflict so they can heal and rebuild their lives.

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CREDIT: Jessica Masibo / HIAS Kenya

We work to protect the right of women, girls, and LGBTQ communities to access their full potential and live free from violence by supporting survivors, mitigating risks, and transforming beliefs that perpetuate GBV.

Learn More

Impact Story

Over 1,000 Calls For Help and HIAS Picks Up the Phone

In 2021 an Aruban government campaign to vaccinate residents against COVID-19 was not reaching those with irregular status, mainly asylum seekers from Venezuela, so the department of health contacted HIAS for help.

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HIAS Aruba helps vaccinate Venezuelan asylum seekers against COVID-19.

A mass vaccination site where HIAS Aruba helped the island’s government register asylum seekers for the COVID-19 vaccination. (HIAS Aruba)

HIAS’ services are free. If someone tries to charge you for services claiming they represent HIAS, please report it at our confidential email address: ethics@hias.org. HIAS has a zero-tolerance policy on fraud and corruption. 

For any other inquiries please email us at info@hias.org.

Ilia Ryzka, who has autism and cerebral palsy, hugs his mother, Zoia, in the yard of the L'Arche house where his family stays with other refugees from Ukraine on May 30, 2022 in Wieliczka, Poland. (Betsy Joles for HIAS)

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Ilia Ryzka, who has autism and cerebral palsy, hugs his mother, Zoia, in the yard of the L'Arche house where his family stays with other refugees from Ukraine on May 30, 2022 in Wieliczka, Poland. (Betsy Joles for HIAS)

Help HIAS provide vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world