PHILIPSBURG--Education Minister Wycliffe Smith assured on Wednesday that protocols had been in place for St. Maarten students who are pursuing their tertiary studies in Florida, prior to the passing of Hurricane Dorian which passed along the Southeast coast of Florida on Wednesday.
Smith said his cabinet staff had been in contact with the Tallahassee St. Maarten Foundation and all protocols had been in place for students.
“The storm has weakened, but also broadened. Therefore, the hurricane watches and warnings are still in effect for the Eastern states of the US. We keep all our students and the general US East coast population in our prayers,” Smith said.
Smith and his colleague ministers also expressed sympathy and strength to the people of Bahamas in the wave of the devastation Dorian left in its wake.
“As [Hurricane – Ed.] Luis and Irma survivors, St. Maarten knows all too well the trauma that the devastation of a Category 5 hurricane brings. Our condolences go out to all those who have lost loved ones. You are in our prayers. Material damages will be repaired or replaced, but our loved ones leave us with memories to cherish and legacies to honour,” Smith said.
“We are thankful that the storm has finally passed your islands after so many days. My brothers and sisters in the Bahamas, as Caribbean people we stand in unity with you. We are a resilient people, so, as dismal as the grounds may seem, the clear skies above give us hope for better days ahead. As your motto states ‘Forward, Upward, Onward, Together’, I am confident that Bahama Land will march on.
“I would like to thank all who have reached out as individuals, groups or organisations to give aid to the people of the Bahamas. We are stronger when we stand together.”
