The Emergency Recovery Project I (ERP-I), the first project financed through the Sint Maarten Recovery and Resilience Trust Fund, is approaching its scheduled closure in December 2026 following eight years of investment in the country’s housing, education, public infrastructure and emergency services.

With approximately US$119.7 million in financing, the project has supported repairs to more than 500 homes, restored 19 schools and placed 21 kilometers of electricity distribution infrastructure underground. Sint Maarten has also gained new emergency response vehicles, increased water-storage capacity and more advanced systems for monitoring severe weather and communicating public warnings.

Representatives of the Government of Sint Maarten, the Government of the Netherlands, the World Bank and the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) gathered on October 28 at the Aleeze Convention Center, alongside public institutions, project partners and beneficiaries, to recognize ERP-I’s achievements at the Impact & Recovery Celebration as the project enters its final phase.

ERP-I began in 2018 with an initial focus on urgent recovery needs after Hurricane Irma. In the following eight years, its scope expanded to include longer-term investments in infrastructure, public services, and disaster preparedness. Nearly 12,000 residents have benefited directly from its investments, while improvements to national emergency response capabilities are intended to serve the wider population of Sint Maarten. As ERP-I winds down, responsibility for maintaining its facilities, infrastructure, equipment and systems will remain with the government’s ministries and public institutions that manage them.

Throughout the program, speakers reflected on ERP-I’s achievements, the challenges involved in delivering investments across different sectors and the lessons that can inform future development efforts. Their remarks also recognized the contributions of public servants, technical specialists, contractors, frontline workers and communities whose efforts have supported the recovery program over the years.

Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Claret Connor emphasized ERP-I’s role in helping families return to their homes following Hurricane Irma. He highlighted the importance of the project’s housing repairs in restoring stability and helping residents rebuild their lives after the disaster.

The event included a panel discussion, From Recovery to Resilience: What ERP-I Made Possible, which explored what the investments have meant for public services and the institutions responsible for delivering them. Speakers representing government, education, shelter management, meteorology and emergency communications shared their experiences of implementing recovery activities and discussed how the improvements will continue to benefit Sint Maarten.

Panelists discussed the vital role of restoring schools in helping communities regain a sense of normalcy after a disaster, along with the improvements made to 19 schools through ERP-I. They also highlighted upgrades to emergency shelters and the new equipment and capabilities available to emergency services. The Meteorological Department’s role was also discussed, including its increased capacity to forecast the weather and communicate timely information to the public.

The discussion highlighted the importance of maintaining these investments and applying the experience gained through ERP-I to future public projects.

“ERP-1 shows what strong partnerships and long-term investment can achieve. Together with our partners, we have strengthened resilience and improved critical services that will continue to benefit Sint Maarten for years to come,” said Toyin Jagha, Program Manager, Sint Maarten Trust Fund.

“Over the past eight years, many people have contributed to achieving ERP-I’s objectives. We thank our counterparts in government, the World Bank and the Government of the Netherlands, together with the project teams and partners who have supported this work over the years. These achievements reflect their collective effort and commitment to Sint Maarten’s recovery,” said NRPB Deputy Director Rueben J. Thompson. “Appreciation is also extended to the many beneficiaries for their faith in our teams, their patience and cooperation throughout this process.”

Although the event celebrated the project’s achievements, ERP-I remains active as its final activities progress towards the scheduled closure in December. The NRPB and its project partners will continue to share updates with the public on the remaining works, their progress and the project’s final results.

The Emergency Recovery Project I is implemented by the National Recovery Program Bureau on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten. It is funded through the Sint Maarten Recovery and Resilience Trust Fund, financed by the Government of the Netherlands and administered by the World Bank.