St. Maarten Development Foundation (SMDF) presented its 2017 annual report (see related story) audited by government accountant SOAB with some interesting data on its activities. A total of more than 2.9 million Netherlands Antilles guilders was given out in grants to 23 non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The latter cater to a combined 700 persons – on a monthly basis – in the areas of youth development, social care, seniors care, poverty alleviation and gender support. The difference this makes to the quality of life for those involved and their loved ones should not be underestimated.
In general, several NGOs on the island have built up a solid reputation also in The Hague, going back to the days of Antillean co-financing organisation AMFO. Created by the Government of St. Maarten, SMDF took over much of that supporting role quite seamlessly.
It’s not for nothing that the first financial means provided by the Netherlands after the catastrophic passage of record-strength Hurricane Irma apart from emergency relief and outside the Trust Fund at the World Bank went to NGOs. They are using this to address the most urgent means needs in the community.
SMDF itself is involved in home construction and repair programmes as well as working with others on offering social aid. Especially with confidence in the local political establishment not exactly at an all-time high, it’s comforting to know that entities outside of the immediate sphere of direct governmental influence perform such important tasks within society.
They are encouraged to keep it up.
