Representatives of the various organisations participating in the initiative.
SIMPSON BAY--The Netherlands Red Cross, St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF), Freegan Food Foundation, K1 Direct, COME Center and the Captain’s Rib Shack will be rolling out a food-assistance project for those who have been severely financially-impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, for the next three months.
The partners reached an agreement about the programme last week. Agreements have also been reached with government for cooperation.
The Dutch Ministry of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations BZK is providing the means to support this project. It is one of the various assistance programmes to help those with no- or low-income in St. Maarten, Aruba and Curaçao to cope with the economic fallout due to the pandemic. BZK granted 16 million euros to the Netherlands Red Cross that will be shared across the three islands based on population, and between six organisations. In total, 3,145 million euros is available to St. Maarten for food assistance.
SMDF and the Red Cross will be providing the coordination of this joint effort. “We are looking forward to a close collaboration with all partners,” SMDF Director Makhicia Brooks said. “As SMDF, we will also provide a linking pin between other initiatives on the island regarding food assistance to avoid duplication as much as possible.”
The economic impact of COVID-19 is causing that humanitarian assistance is needed. Humanitarian assistance will be aimed at all persons in need in St. Maarten. The project will offer various types of food assistance in an effort to cater to the personal situation persons find themselves in. After registration and screening, the person or household will be appointed to a particular organisation based on their needs and challenges.
For example, Red Cross and eventually, K1 Direct, will focus on e-vouchers. “K1 will continue with food boxes and transition into the voucher system,” Alan Schet of K1 Direct said. “Recipients can use the vouchers to make their own choices based on their own needs.”
Fernando Suarez Jimenez of Red Cross said households will receive a sort of debit card and every two weeks funds will be transferred to the card.”
“We will [be – Ed.] providing hot meals,” Dino Arrindell of Captain’s Rib shack and Marva Sam from COME Center said.
“Our focus lies on those who have lost their homes, do not have the ability to cook or have mobility challenges. We will provide pick-up and delivery services.” Both entities also provided hot meals in the months after Hurricane Irma.
Freegan Food Foundation will provide food boxes with fresh food. “For Freegan, this is a continuation of what we have been doing since 2017. With the funding, we can reach more households than before.”
Organisations such as Freegan Food Foundation and K1 Direct will also continue with their efforts outside of this project.
In total, 3200 households can be assisted by the project. Registrations will be possible via different channels. All participating organisations have posted the registration form on their websites and social media sites. Those in need can apply online. In addition, the people can send a WhatsApp to the following number
1(721) 553-2905. One of the volunteers or staff members of the participating organisations will call back to ask for any required information.
“The partners (SMDF, Red Cross, K1 Direct, Freegan Food Foundation, COME Center and The Captain’s Rib Shack) are sharing a system. Persons only have to register once.” Fanny de Swarte of Red Cross said beneficiaries will be appointed to each organisation.”
Persons are encouraged to register if they are not already receiving food assistance through other organisations; if there is a significant drop in income due to COVID-19; and if the combined income of the household is not more than minimum wage. Applicants should be 18 years and older and register for the entire household. Other criteria can be found on the website of all partners.
There have also been discussions with government about the food-distribution programme. Red Cross, SMDF, K1 DIRECT, Freegan Food Foundation, COME Center and The Captain’s Rib Shack have agreed with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Affairs VSA to collaborate as it pertains to the food distribution and to have the same amounts of assistance available per household.
They have also agreed to have a referral system in place for possible other types of assistance from government such as “onderstand” or assistance from the St. Maarten Stimulus and Relief Plan (SSRP), where relevant. The aim of the NGOs and government is to help as many people in need as possible under the separate programmes.
Important to note is that information on beneficiaries without legal status will not be shared between the NGOs and government, it was stated in a press release.
For those that have not yet registered for this project, please visit the following social media and website(s) for registration forms: Red Cross, K1 Direct, Freegan Food Foundation, COME Center and The Captain’s Rib Shack at
www.facebook.com/RedCrossSXM; www.redcross.sx; www.facebook.com/K1SXM; www.k1britanniafoundation.org; www.facebook.com/freeganfoodfoundation; www.freeganfoodfoundation.com; www.facebook.com/COME-Center-1037372476381577 or www.facebook.com/captainsribshack.
