UNDP readjusts St. Maarten home restoration programme

THE HAGUE–The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has had to reduce the number of dwellings that can be restored under its home repair programme for St. Maarten. The original number of 500 homes has been decreased to 150.
Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Kajsa Ollongren stated this in an update on the status of the early recovery projects in St. Maarten she sent to the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament on Friday.

“The assumption of the UNDP at the start of the project appeared untenable. The damage to the homes was greater than the UNDP had calculated. A more expensive and technical restoration was required in order to make the homes hurricane-proof. It appeared not possible to use unemployed persons and home owners in this process,” stated Ollongren, who confirmed that the number of homes under UNDP’s home repair programme was reduced from 500 to 150.

The Second Chamber’s Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations submitted a number of questions last month regarding the 2018 subsidiary budget of Kingdom Relations and the execution of the early recovery activities as part of St. Maarten’s reconstruction after Hurricane Irma. The early recovery projects started in January 2018 and are funded by the Dutch Government to the tune of 7 million euros.

The Minister explained that so far White Yellow Cross WYC and St. Maarten Development Foundation SMDF have completely restored 18 homes. Another 19 homes will be ready and hurricane-proof soon. In total, WYC, SMDF and UNDP will restore some 300 homes of the most vulnerable in society.

Under WYC’s home restoration programme, which mostly focuses on the foundation’s clients, four homes have been restored and another ten homes are under construction. Preparations have been made for 31 more homes. The WYC has estimated that the programme can be expanded with an additional 15 to 25 homes.

The WYC started two retraining programme classes in February. In total, 47 persons took part in this retraining for the construction and care sector. Participants, mostly youngsters and persons who lost their jobs in the hotel and tourism sector, receive a stipend.
SMDF’s home repair programme has so far assisted with the restoration of 14 homes of elderly persons and another nine homes will be completed shortly. A total of 77 more homes will be restored in the early recovery period, which lasts until July 1, 2018, stated the Minister.

UNDP has started with the preparations for its home repair programme and the restoring of infrastructure in the districts, including play grounds and community centres. These projects will start this month.

Unemployed persons have been provided with work and income in the so-called Cash for Work programme of the UNDP. In total, 22 clean-up actions have taken place throughout St. Maarten. Unemployed persons will be used as well to restore the infrastructure in the districts in the coming months.

The Netherlands Red Cross has been providing breakfast and lunch to thousands of primary school children for several months. This programme will continue in the coming months, at least until the end of the school year. Meals are prepared at Sundial School.
The Red Cross, together with the consortium of Start-up Solutions, have initiated a project titled “From Waste to Work.” Local entrepreneurs are supported to set up a company to re-use waste. The Dutch start-up company Beat the Bag is setting up a company to turn tarpaulins into bags.

United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF has started preparations for the implementation of the Return to Happiness programme in which psychological support is offered to St. Maarten’s children. A training for 120 professionals has been prepared which enables them to better assist the children to deal with the traumatic experience of Hurricane Irma.
UNICEF has trained 18 so-called world coaches in collaboration with the Netherlands Soccer Association KNVB. These coaches are training 415 children three times a week as part of the school soccer competition. The focus is not only on sports, but also on giving the children life skills and to make them more resilient.

The micro-financing organisation Qredits has so far issues 42 soft loans to St. Maarten entrepreneurs who are mainly working in the hospitality and restaurant sector, business services, industry and communications.

Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/75415-undp-readjusts-st-maarten-home-restoration-programme

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