In 2017, two extremely severe hurricanes, Irma and Maria, devastated the area and 95% of all buildings were damaged or destroyed.
Impact of devastating hurricanes
Sheltering in the bathroom with your parents while the natural disaster rages outside was a frightening experience for many children. After the hurricane, life was tough for many families and teachers because their homes and schools were damaged, or work in the tourism sector had disappeared.
Child Protection and collaboration results
The hurricanes also exposed the vulnerabilities in child protection in Sint Maarten and the need to be better prepared for the impact of natural disasters on children. Therefore, UNICEF the Netherlands has been working with the government of Sint Maarten since 2017. We have achieved great results, including:
- Teachers can recognize signs of stress in children with the help of a digital tool. Thanks to the tool, children receive the help they need in a timely manner.
- The child abuse protection code has been developed, and professionals in sectors such as education and healthcare have been trained in its use. This allows signs of child abuse to be seen and referred in a timely manner.
- The guardianship council of Sint Maarten has developed steps for registering and assessing reports. This allows families to receive help faster and better.
- Based on an analysis of parents' needs, a program has been rolled out to promote positive parenting. A pilot program has also been developed to promote a safe and pleasant environment in schools.
- All schools are prepared for new disasters.
UNICEF the Netherlands is currently working with the government to secure and deepen the results of the past years.