In compliance with EU regulations, the Netherlands is obliged to hold certain strategic stocks. We understand strategic stocks to be additional reserves of essential materials kept on hand to ensure continuity of operations. The stocks are not held for day-to-day use but are drawn down only when supplies are interrupted by a crisis The Caribbean islands of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba (the Caribbean Netherlands), however, are exempt from this regulation.
What are we auditing?
We are auditing the status of strategic stocks of water, food, medicines and fuel in the Caribbean Netherlands.
Why are carrying out this audit?
The Caribbean Netherlands face a wide range of security threats, including natural disasters such as hurricanes and volcanic explosions on Saba and St Eustatius. The situation in Venezuela (70 kilometres from Bonaire) is also fragile. The islands are nearly entirely reliant on imports of most goods. A disruption in the international logistics chain could quickly lead to shortages of drinking water, fuel and other basic goods.
Current status
Strategic stocks in the Caribbean Netherlands - Accountability Audit prepublication
Information the Court of Audit collects in the performance of its statutory tasks is confidential and not made public. Information shared between the Court of Audit and the auditee concerning the information it collects is not made public either and cannot be released under a freedom of information request.
This audit is part of the 2025 Accountability Audit of the Ministry of Kingdom Affairs and BES funds. Publication: 20 May 2026.
We submit our reports to the House of Representatives. They are then published on our website.
Do you want to take part in this audit?
The Court of Audit invites you to share any information you may have that would benefit our audit. We appreciate all contributions, knowledge and experiences you may care to share with us on this topic. Simply send an email to bijdrage@rekenkamer.nl.
We read all emails carefully and treat them in confidence. However, we are not able to reply to every contribution we receive.