Dutch King Willem-Alexander couldn’t believe what he was seeing as his flight came in to land at Princess Juliana International Airport, “I could see it already from the plane – I’ve never experienced anything like it.” He added, “I’ve seen plenty of destruction in my time from wars and natural disasters, but I’ve never seen this.”
But if anything stuck with him it was the incredible unity of the community, “You can see people are working hard to clear it all up. They’re saying ‘we’re standing together shoulder to shoulder and we’re going to rebuild this island.’ They believe in the future.”
The news came immediately that the European Union has set up a fund of two billion euro for disaster relief to help begin to restore life on Sint Maarten back to normal.
If you aren’t there now, or if you haven’t been there since the hurricane, which I haven’t, it’s so hard to imagine everything the people of Sint Maarten have been through. I listen everyday to Laser 101 FM — as I’m doing now — and I hear callers trying to get basic information, like where to get water and food or medicine for sick loved ones.
But if there’s one thing that really sticks out to me, it’s all the people I hear call in that are so filled with a wondrous spirit and love for each other. The attitude of the people of this island is astounding. This community is coming together like no other community has. I will be reporting to you all of the wonderful things that are going to be happening there during the rebuild.
It’s heartbreaking to know a place I love so much is going through all of this. That’s why I started SXM Strong on Wednesday, as soon as I woke up to the news that the island was under siege by the hurricane. If you love the island as much I do, please give to help them rebuild.
Here are a few posts that show the highlights of the King’s visit to the island:
El rey de #Holanda esta conmovido después de ver la devastación en #SanMartín pero asegura que “estamos juntos para #reconstruir la isla” pic.twitter.com/d1HhIgF0hN
— Dutch Embassy Panama (@NLinPanama) September 12, 2017
King Willem-Alexander concludes visit to #StMaarten #StEustatius and #Saba after #IrmaHurricane
Kingdom will continue to provide assistance pic.twitter.com/mXQaBZSS1t— Karel van Oosterom (@KvanOosterom) September 12, 2017
King Willem-Alexander shocked by #StMaarten devastation, impressed by resilience inhabitants, supportive of military and humanitarian work. pic.twitter.com/8lHACub02v
— Karel van Oosterom (@KvanOosterom) September 12, 2017
