In the wake of a disaster, the six islands of the Dutch Caribbean and surrounding islands share a deep and interconnected bond. When faced with the urgent need to evacuate,…
Evacuating Your Child(ren) After A Disaster
HURRYcane Run!
A game that teaches hurricane preparedness through play HURRYcane Run has arrived, a recently released board game that combines fun and valuable knowledge about hurricane preparedness and safety. Created by…
In the Spotlight: School Safety Team Members
The School Safety and Emergency Teams (SET) within Primary and Secondary Schools in Sint Maarten, continue to play an essential role in creating safer and more disaster-resilient schools. They play…
How play can help children process stress & trauma
Play is defined as activities that appear to be freely sought and pursued only for individual or group enjoyment. Play is children’s work; it is how they learn and develop. …
Return to Happiness
Trauma-sensitive support at schools started after Irma After the devastation of hurricane Irma in 2017, more psychosocial support was needed in schools. This led to the implementation of the Return…
Preparing children for a disaster
“Every child is unique, which means each child will have different needs or strengths”, says Leona Neptune, a psychologist at Student Support Services Division (SSSD). The same goes for coping…
Protecting children after a disaster
In the aftermath of a natural disaster, children are at risk of facing a number of negative consequences. Not only are parents less capable of providing the attention needed by…
How should shelters safely accommodate children?
Chiara Ciminello, Senior Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF the Netherlands Chiara Ciminello supports the efforts of the Court of Guardianship, MECYS, ESF-7, and other key stakeholders working for children to strengthen…
Saving lives with hurricane shelters
During a disaster, Chantale Groeneveldt and her colleagues coordinate everything related to equipping, opening and coordinating the hurricane shelters. People in need also receive referrals to emergency supplies and services,…