The signing of an agreement with the World Bank to manage a Trust Fund with 470 million euros (about US $580 million) pledged by the Netherlands marks only the beginning of the reconstruction process following widespread devastation inflicted by record-strength Hurricane Irma last September.
Nevertheless, it marks a significant milestone, because there is no longer room for doubt as to whether the money will ever really become available.
A lot of work obviously remains to be done over quite some time, but three projects foreseen to cost a combined US $128 million are being fast-tracked with an eye on the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season. It regards recovery and disaster preparedness and the rehabilitation of electricity and water utilities, debris removal especially at the newly-created dump and Simpson Bay Lagoon, as well as continuing the hospitality-training and cash-for-work programmes.
Other projects will be selected based on the needs identified in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) on approval by a Steering Committee on which the St. Maarten and Dutch Governments plus the World Bank are to have one member each. With the total negative impact of Irma estimated at US $1.8 billion, being able to spend almost a third of that amount to help get the country back on track should certainly prove beneficial.
That waste management is considered top priority ought to reassure many, as a structural solution for the garbage problem and already-overused landfill may be expected in the not-too-distant future. Also tackling sewage water particularly in the Cole Bay area together with the French side is highly important to not only improve residents’ quality of life but also protect the environment and consequently the island’s tourism economy.
Now it comes down to the nitty-gritty in terms of quickly but expertly putting all the necessary preparations for the Dutch side’s rebuilding in place. To quote the title of a classic hit song by legendary rock and soul band Chicago: “We can make it happen.”
