For many 2017 can’t end quickly enough. That is no wonder, considering the devastation left by Hurricane Irma as well as widespread looting in its wake.
Realistically, however, next year might be even tougher. After all, the socioeconomic impact from the September 6 natural disaster will increasingly be felt during the coming days, weeks and months as more people lose jobs and income.
Many employers could still pay their personnel at least partially up to Christmas, but with financial reserves running low or their businesses shut down may no longer be able to do so much longer. The programme to train hospitality workers and give them an allowance while most major resorts remain closed to rebuild is therefore very important.
Friday’s unanimous approval of the amended 2017 budget makes that and other short-term relief possible, with the Dutch Government agreeing to provide some 67 million Antillean guilders in liquidity assistance so country St. Maarten can continue to meet its obligations, including salaries of civil servants.
The Reconstruction Fund of 550 million euros made available by the Netherlands via the World Bank is obviously intended to make a considerable positive difference, but it will take some time before the actual projects involved get started. In the meantime, about 7 million euros set aside for immediate use by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is to help those in the greatest need.
Along with insurance monies, investments in both the public and private sectors should keep the island going while the local tourism economy recovers. It surely won’t be easy, but the resolve, determination and resilience shown by the people after such an extremely catastrophic calamity will no doubt carry the island through.
#SXMstrong in 2018 too.
