St. Martin News Network - St. Maarten

Bonaire Human Rights President Addresses United Nations Women’s Meeting on Behalf of Bonaire’s Marginalized Women.

The President of the Bonaire Human Rights Organization and member of Muhernan Fuerte Bonaire, Davika Bissessar Shaw, accompanied by the leader of Pueblo Progresivo Unido, Mr. James Finies, participates in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW) meeting on May 15, 2025. Her attendance marks a critical moment in amplifying the voices of women and girls from Bonaire on the global stage.

This initiative by the Bonaire Human Rights Organization represents a significant step toward advancing the goals of the UN CSW, guided by the 2024 Pact for the Future where Mrs Bissessar Shaw attended last year and the Beijing Declaration’s legacy, particularly in promoting gender equality and the empowerment and rights of women and girls across all sectors of Bonairean society. BHRO wants to bring global attention to the specific challenges and human rights violations that women and children are facing in Bonaire.

President Bissessar Shaw will join leaders from UN Women and civil society organizations to advocate for the rights of women, children, and indigenous peoples. Bissessar Shaw's participation underscores the urgent need for communities from small islands to be represented in global discussions on gender equality, human rights, and sustainable development. Bringing Bonaire’s perspective to the forefront will help shape more inclusive and equitable policies that reflect the lived realities of vulnerable and marginalized populations.

The Bonaire Human Rights Organization remains steadfast in its mission to defend the rights and dignity of all people of Bonaire, with a special focus on those most at risk of exclusion from international discourse.

Her presence at this high-level meeting serves not only as a voice for Bonairean women and girls but also as a powerful reminder that no community—no matter how small—should be left behind. The Bonaire Human Rights Organization calls on the international community to listen, engage, and take meaningful action to uphold the rights of Bonairian women. This moment is not just about participation—it is about transformation.

President of Bonaire Human Rights Organization

Davika Bissessar Shaw, Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar

ODM: Hurricane Season is Coming. Be Prepared! Time to Check/Restock Your Disaster Supply Kit.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) which falls under the Fire Department (Ministry of General Affairs) headed by Fire Chief/Disaster Coordinator Clive Richardson, appeals to all residents and businesses to plan ahead and let’s ‘Be Prepared’ for a forecasted above-normal active 2025 Atlantic hurricane season which begins on Sunday, June 1 and runs through November 30.

The Colorado State University (CSU) Department of Atmospheric Science released its first seasonal hurricane forecast for the 2025 Atlantic season early April, and they anticipate that the 2025 Atlantic basin season will have above-normal activity.

CSU forecast 17-named storms, of which nine (9) are forecasted to become a hurricane, and four (4) of these would be upgraded to major hurricanes of more than 111 miles per hour in wind speed.

ODM calls on residents to review the content of their Disaster Kit and to start restocking it with the essentials that are necessary to ride out the hurricane season.

Every household’s Disaster Kit should be able to support members of the household for a minimum of seven days after the hurricane has passed.

The Disaster Kit should contain non-perishable food, water and medicine (fill prescriptions before the storm); non-electric can opener; first-aid kit; extra cash (ATM machines and credit cards won’t work if there is no electricity); a battery powered radio and flashlights as well as extra batteries; make sure cell phones are all charged prior to the arrival of the hurricane; fill up your car/truck with gas; check if your home and automobile insurance are up to date; put ID cards, passports and driver’s license, insurance papers in a waterproof bag along with other important documents.

If you are a parent with an infant or young child (ren), you also need to have essential items as part of your disaster supply kit: baby formula; diapers; bottles; powdered milk; medications; moist towels; and diaper rash ointment.

Your Disaster Kit must also include hand sanitizer, a soap bar or liquid soap; two cloth face coverings for each person; disinfecting wipes, or general household cleaning supplies to disinfect surfaces.

Now is the time to trim back tree branches from your home; cut all dead or weak branches on any trees on your property; clean-up your yard and put away items that could blow away during the passing of a hurricane; check your roof and storm shutters to make sure they are secure, and the latter are in good working condition.

For those whose homes are not yet storm/hurricane ready, you should make alternative housing arrangements to stay with family or friends.

The community is urged to learn more about hurricane hazards and how to prepare for a storm/hurricane strike by visiting the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide’ and “Hurricane Tracking Chart.”

Listen to the Government Radio station – SXMGOV 107.9FM - for official information and news before, during and after a hurricane. You can also follow weather related news and information as well as national addresses by the Prime Minister, chairperson of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) by going to @SXMGOV Facebook Page.

For official weather-related information, check out the website of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/

Remember, it only takes one hurricane to make it a bad season. Be prepared and ready to take action in the event of a hurricane threat to the country!

Minister Brug encourages locals to apply for: Multiple Tender Opportunities Open at the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), Richinel Brug, hereby informs the public of several open tender opportunities across various departments. Interested and qualified individuals or organizations are invited to apply before the respective deadlines.

The following tenders are currently open:

1. Medical Advisor

Department: Ambulance
Deadline: Monday, May 19, 2025

2. Legislative Draftsman – IVSA

Department: Inspectorate of Public Health, Social Services and Labor
Deadline: Friday, May 23, 2025

3. Organizational Development Specialist

Department: Office of the Minister of VSA
Deadline: Friday, May 23, 2025

4. Interim Head of IVSA

Department: Office of the Minister of VSA
Deadline: Friday, May 23, 2025

5. Project Leader/Expert – IVSA

Department: Inspectorate of Public Health, Social Services and Labor
Deadline: Friday, May 23, 2025

6. IT Systems Specialist

Department: Office of the Minister of VSA
Deadline: Friday, May 23, 2025

7. Legislative Draftsman

Department: Office of the Minister of VSA
Deadline: Friday, May 23, 2025

8. Project Manager/Expert

Department: Office of the Minister of VSA
Deadline: Friday, May 23, 2025

For full details on these tenders, including scope of work and eligibility criteria, please visit the official Government of St. Maarten website at www.sintmaartengov.org. Scroll down to the Public Tenders section and click "Read More." Once there, navigate to the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labor tab. You will find a list of the tenders mentioned above. Click “Download PDF” next to each listing for full information.

The Ministry encourages all interested parties to submit their applications within the specified deadlines.

SXM DOET 2025 IS ON – SIGN UP AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

“It’s time to do our DOETy”

doet15052025 PHILIPSBURG:--- The largest volunteer event on the island, SXM DOET, is happening this Friday and Saturday, May 16 and 17, 2025! All members of the community are encouraged to visit www.sxmdoet.com to browse through almost 100 impactful projects and sign up for the one that sparks their interest.

SXM DOET is more than just volunteering — it’s about networking, teambuilding, rolling up your sleeves, and working together to uplift our beautiful island of St. Maarten. Whether it’s painting, gardening, spending time with the elderly and differently abled, or repairing, there’s a project for everyone to get involved in and contribute meaningfully.

This incredible initiative is made possible by the generous support of the Oranje Fonds and the Be the Change Foundation. Their ongoing commitment to community development continues to inspire action across St. Maarten, the entire Dutch Kingdom, and the Dutch Caribbean.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this island-wide movement. Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and stay connected via our social media channels — you might just spot yourself giving back in action!

Let’s unite for change. Let’s DO-ET!

Urgent Public meeting no. 15 with agenda point.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Update from the Minister of Finance on the technical issues delaying the ratification and publication of the 2025 National Budget (15/655/2024-2025 dated February 27, 2025)

This meeting was requested by MP E.J. Doran, MP D.T.J. York, MP A.M.R. Irion, MP O.E.C. Ottley, MP F.A. Lacroes, and MP L.C.J. Lewi.s

which was adjourned on May 8, 2025, and could not take place on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 14.00 hrs. due to a lack of quorum, will be reconvened on Thursday, Ma y 15, 2025, at 15.00 hrs.