Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs
PHILIPSBURG--This week is one wrought with memories in the history books of St. Maarten, Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs said on Tuesday, September 6, five years after Hurricane Irma pummeled St. Maarten. “There is no need to recount what happened. We were there and we felt the impact; we’re still feeling the impact.”
Five years ago, just when the sting of Hurricane Luis in 1995 finally seemed like it was fading with the generations, the island was hurtled into chaos and destruction once more, Jacobs recounted. “As the world is cast into pandemonium, exchanging one tragedy for another, we remember the emotional scars that are not so easily healed. We remember the lives lost. We remember, yet we remain. We are tired, but we are steadfast.”
The people took time to heal and are still healing, Jacobs said. “Look into the eyes of a newborn and feel hope, awake to the freshness of a sunrise and refreshment of a light drizzle as the blessing from God, who sees us through all our storms. Give thanks that our island, despite our struggles, grows fresh leaves to clothe the trees, washes the grime away and the people come together to help, clean, sustain each other, sharing water, food, clothes, shelter!”
Together the people of St. Maarten rebuilt after the destruction, slowly but surely businesses reopened, homes were repaired and visitors returned, Jacobs recounted.
“We are more than grateful – grateful for the outside assistance from our kingdom partners and international agencies, volunteers from around the world. Together, we survived and we started to thrive,” Jacobs said, “St. Maarten is sturdy, St. Maarten remains and even though we may be bruised, we continue to live our motto ‘Semper Pro Grediens’ – ‘Always progressing’!”
