PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Collective Prevention Service (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), joined the global community in observing World Food Safety Day 2026, celebrated annually on June 7, under the theme "From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere."

This year's theme highlights the importance of understanding the burden of foodborne diseases through data, research, and surveillance, and using that information to develop focused, effective, and cost-efficient solutions that protect public health.

Every day, people around the world are affected by illnesses caused by unsafe food. Food contaminated by bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins, or harmful chemicals can lead to a range of health problems, from mild gastrointestinal illness to severe disease, hospitalization, long-term health complications, and even death. The social and economic impacts of foodborne illnesses also place a significant burden on healthcare systems, businesses, families, and communities.

According to international health organizations, collecting and analyzing data on foodborne illnesses is essential for understanding where risks exist and for implementing measures that can prevent future outbreaks. Accurate information allows governments, health authorities, food producers, retailers, and consumers to make informed decisions that improve food safety across the entire food chain.

The theme "From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere" reminds us that effective food safety measures begin with understanding the problem. By identifying the causes and sources of foodborne illnesses, public health authorities can develop targeted interventions that save lives, reduce healthcare costs, and improve the overall health and well-being of communities.

Food safety remains a shared responsibility. Everyone involved in the production, transportation, preparation, sale, and consumption of food has a role to play in ensuring that food is safe. From farmers and food manufacturers to restaurant operators, food vendors, supermarkets, and households, each step in the food chain contributes to preventing contamination and protecting public health.

CPS encourages residents to practice safe food handling measures at home by following these important food safety principles:

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing or consuming food;

• Clean food preparation surfaces, utensils, and kitchen equipment regularly;

• Separate raw foods from cooked foods to prevent cross-contamination;

• Cook foods thoroughly, especially meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs;

• Store perishable foods at safe temperatures and refrigerate promptly;

• Wash fruits and vegetables before consumption;

• Discard food that appears spoiled, has an unusual odor, or has exceeded its recommended storage period.

Food business operators are also encouraged to maintain strict food safety standards through proper employee hygiene, sanitation procedures, temperature monitoring, and adherence to food safety regulations and best practices.

The Collective Prevention Service encourages all residents to make food safety a daily priority and to remain informed about practices that reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Reason for Hope Foundation is set to make a major impact on Caribbean basketball with the launch of the "Bring Ya Best (BYB)" Invitational Basketball Tournament. The anticipated event is scheduled for July 12–18, 2026, at the L.B. Scott Sports Auditorium on Long Wall Road, St. Maarten.

The week-long invitational tournament will bring together elite teams from across the Caribbean and North America, creating what organizers hope will become one of the region’s premier basketball events.

Founded in 2024, the Reason for Hope Foundation focuses on youth development, community empowerment, and bridging the gap between sports, tourism, and entertainment. The BYB tournament represents the organization's first major international

sporting event. This tournament is also about creating an experience that equally showcases St. Maarten as a destination and its sports tourism.

According to the President of the Reason for Hope Foundation, Shabazz Buchanan, the tournament is also designed to provide high-level competition while creating opportunities for young athletes

to advance their basketball careers. 

“The primary objective is to provide exposure for talented players, and we are also bringing basketball scouts and coaches from the United States to evaluate athletes, with the hope of creating pathways to college and professional basketball opportunities in the U.S. and Europe. We're building a complete basketball experience, from the competition, international participation to the entertainment and fan engagement. We have a great variety of teams and cultures coming together," summarized Buchanan.

Several registered teams have never competed in St. Maarten, adding a fresh and exciting dynamic to the upcoming event. Teams confirmed for the tournament include representatives from:

• Aruba
• Canada
• United States
• St. Kitts and Nevis (Achievers Elite)
• St. Eustatius
• St. Maarten
• British Virgin Islands (Virgin Gorda and Tortola)
• Haiti
• Dominica

(Moreover, an additional team from the U.S. Virgin Islands is also being considered)

ATTRACTIVE PRIZE PURSE:

One of the tournament’s biggest attractions is its substantial prize packages. These incentives add another level of excitement and competitiveness to the event. The champions will receive cash prizes of US$20,000, while the runner-up will earn US$5,000 and the third-place team will receive US$2,500.

Individual awards include:

• Tournament MVP – US$1,000
• Slam Dunk Champion – US$300
• Three-Point Shootout Champion – US$200

MORE THAN BASKETBALL:

In addition to the on-court action, the Reason for Hope foundation is also planning nightly entertainment, giveaways and social activities designed to enhance the overall fan experience. 

BUILDING A REGIONAL SHOWCASE:

The tournament has the potential to become a flagship sporting event for St. Maarten, and the wider Caribbean with promises to becoming one of the premier basketball events in the region. 

My fellow people of Sint Maarten,
As we approach the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, I address you today not only as your Prime Minister, but as a fellow resident of this beautiful country who understands firsthand what this season can mean for our families, our homes, our livelihoods, and our peace of mind.
For us in Sint Maarten, hurricane season is not simply a date on the calendar. It is a period that reminds us of our vulnerability, but also of our strength. We remember the lessons of the past. We remember the uncertainty, the fear, the devastation, but we also remember the resilience of our people. We remember neighbors helping neighbors, families opening their homes to others, emergency workers risking their lives, and a nation that refused to give up.
Those experiences taught us something important: preparedness saves lives.
This year’s hurricane season officially begins on June 1st and runs through November 30th. Forecasts indicate another active season for the Atlantic region, and while we pray that Sint Maarten is spared from major impacts, we cannot depend on hope alone. Preparation must be our responsibility.
I want to speak directly to every household, every business owner, every parent, every senior citizen, every young person, and every resident of this country: now is the time to prepare.
Do not wait for a storm warning to begin securing your home or gathering supplies. By the time a storm is approaching, it may already be too late to complete critical preparations safely.
I urge all residents to review their emergency plans with their families. Know where you will shelter if necessary. Ensure you have enough food, water, medication, batteries, important documents, and emergency supplies to sustain your household for several days. Check on elderly relatives, neighbors living alone, and persons who may need additional support during an emergency.
To our business community, your preparedness is equally important. Review your continuity plans, secure your properties, protect important data and equipment, and ensure your staff understand emergency procedures. The strength of our economy after a storm depends greatly on how prepared we are beforehand.
As Chair of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), I already convened a meeting with the EOC on May 27, 2026, as part of Government’s continued proactive approach toward hurricane preparedness and national response coordination. During these discussions, key stakeholders and emergency management officials reviewed preparedness measures, response readiness, inter-agency coordination, communication protocols, shelter preparedness, and operational planning for the upcoming season. This meeting reflects Government’s commitment to remaining vigilant, prepared, and coordinated ahead of any potential threat.
Government continues to work actively together with our emergency services, ministries, utility companies, and key stakeholders to strengthen preparedness and response capabilities ahead of the season. This includes ongoing coordination through our national disaster management framework, shelter readiness assessments, public infrastructure preparations, and continued collaboration with regional and international partners.
I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to all first responders, emergency personnel, healthcare workers, volunteers, utility workers, and community organizations who stand ready every year to serve and protect this country, often under extremely difficult circumstances. Your dedication does not go unnoticed.
At the same time, preparedness is not only the responsibility of government. Disaster resilience begins at home and within our communities. We all have a role to play.
Let us also remember that storms do not affect everyone equally. There are families among us who may struggle to afford supplies or secure their homes adequately. If you are in a position to help someone in need, I encourage you to do so. A simple act of kindness, sharing supplies, helping clear a yard, assisting an elderly neighbor, or offering support to a vulnerable family can make a meaningful difference.
Sint Maarten has always shown its greatest strength during challenging times. We are a resilient people. We are a compassionate people. And when we stand together, there is no challenge we cannot face.
I ask everyone to stay informed throughout the hurricane season by following official government channels, emergency notifications, and verified information sources. Avoid spreading rumors or misinformation, especially during times of uncertainty, as accurate information can save lives.
My fellow people of Sint Maarten,
Preparedness is not about fear. It is about responsibility. It is about protecting the people we love and ensuring that our country can recover quickly and safely should a storm threaten us.
Let us enter this hurricane season alert, prepared, united, and committed to looking out for one another.
May God continue to bless and protect Sint Maarten and all who call this country home.
Thank you.
Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Library is pleased to announce the addition of Een zwaluw in de kamer: Queer-verhalen die je omarmen (A Swallow in the Room: Queer Stories That Embrace You) by Dutch author Eveline van de Putte to its collection. Danielle Swart generously donated the book on behalf of the author.
Written in Dutch, Een zwaluw in de kamer is a collection of twenty interconnected stories that explore themes of identity, love, family, friendship, inclusion, disability, and self-discovery. Through relatable and compassionate characters, the book highlights the importance of empathy, understanding, and respect for diversity, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community.
Danielle Swart works as a fund manager for the Jo Visser Fonds in the Netherlands. The goal of this fund is to stimulate healthcare education for people who wish to work in elderly care and related fields. By supporting small projects, young people can learn about the importance of their future profession. The publication of Een zwaluw in de kamer was made possible through this support.
“The author tells stories about the queer community in a friendly and accessible way, especially to encourage people to love and respect one another,” said Swart. “This is particularly important in healthcare settings, where many people are still afraid to show their true feelings. We hope that this book demonstrates that we are all human beings and serves as a valuable conversation starter.”
The Sint Maarten Library invites patrons to discover this thoughtful and inspiring Dutch-language title and engage in meaningful conversations about inclusion, acceptance, and our shared humanity.
For more information, please contact the Sint Maarten Library.