Dear Editor,
During my visits to Sint Maarten, I learned quickly that people are careful with the word “hurricane.” If you mention it, someone may stop you: “Don’t bring that into existence.” It’s more than an instinct – it reflects how deeply the memory of Irma lives on, and how vigilant life on a small island must be. Having been based in Jamaica during Hurricanes Beryl and, more recently, Melissa, I can now say, “I get it.”
As this year’s hurricane season draws to an end, there is reason for Sint Maarten to breathe a sigh of relief; having been spared major storms. Yet the devastation brought by Hurricane Melissa to Jamaica is a powerful reminder that in the Caribbean, no one is ever truly out of reach. For Sint Maarten, where geography defines both beauty and vulnerability, every hurricane season brings the risk of seeing years of progress swept away. Hurricane Irma alone caused damage estimated at more than twice the island’s GDP, leaving deep scars but also lasting lessons.
In the years since, Sint Maarten has taken those lessons to heart. The country is shifting from rebuilding after disasters to reducing risks before they strike – strengthening preparedness, investing in safer infrastructure, and planning with future storms in mind.
At the World Bank, we’ve worked closely with the government to support this shift – through the Sint Maarten Reconstruction, Recovery, and Resilience Trust Fund, a partnership with the Government of Sint Maarten and the Government of the Netherlands.
Established after Hurricane Irma, the Trust Fund was designed not only to rebuild what was lost but to build systems that make recovery faster and stronger when the next storm comes. Across the island, that resilience is now taking shape in tangible ways. Homes are being repaired to higher building standards so families can return to safer roofs. The Princess Juliana International Airport – the backbone of the island’s tourism economy – has been rebuilt with stronger structural standards to protect lives and keep the country connected when the next storm hits. A new hospital is being constructed, engineered to withstand earthquakes and strong winds, ensuring continuity of care even during the most severe storms.
Preparedness also extends beyond physical structures. Through the Trust Fund, Sint Maarten is strengthening its digital systems – ensuring that government services and critical data remain functional even in times of crisis. The education sector, too, is adapting: teachers are better equipped to respond, and a disaster-preparedness game "HURRYcane Run" is helping children learn how to stay safe when storms approach.
The Trust Fund also introduced the Early Grade Reading and Mathematics Assessments, giving Sint Maarten its first consistent way to track students’ progress and address learning gaps that widened during the pandemic. All of these efforts point in the same direction: Sint Maarten is not simply rebuilding, it is redefining what resilience means for a small island nation. This commitment is reflected as well in the government’s plan to establish a Disaster Reserve Fund – a dedicated reserve for emergencies – developed with guidance from a World Bank study. Steps like these help ensure that when storms strike, resources are ready.
Yet resilience is never finished. As climate risks intensify, Sint Maarten – like all small island economies – will need to keep expanding its protections: strengthening financial buffers, investing in faster early-warning systems, and ensuring that every recovery plan is backed by dedicated, ready-to-use financing. Continued regional collaboration – sharing expertise, pooling risk, and strengthening institutions – will be essential to sustain these gains.
While Sint Maarteners avoid saying the word “hurricane”, their actions speak louder than words. They are preparing, adapting, and rebuilding stronger each time – and experience shows that this commitment always pays off.
Lilia Burunciuc
World Bank Director for the Caribbean
