PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministers of Health of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, together with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports of the Netherlands, convened on Thursday, 20 November 2025, in Sint Maarten for the Four-Country Consultation on Public Health. This annual high-level dialogue remains a cornerstone for coordinated health governance and joint policy development within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

This year’s consultation, the first since 2023, addressed shared public health challenges and strategic opportunities for deeper regional cooperation. The agenda focused on priority areas, including:

• Strengthening cross-border healthcare and pandemic preparedness
• Enhancing crisis and disaster response capacity
• Advancing joint initiatives in mental health, prevention, and healthy lifestyle promotion
• Improving continuity of care, workforce development, and training capacity across the health sector

Results

With regard to pandemic preparedness and the fight against infectious diseases, the four countries agree on the continued development of the Dutch Caribbean Public Health Expertise Network (DuCaPHEN). Thereby reinforcing the shared commitment to expertise exchange and regional coordination in public health. The countries also reaffirmed their intention to work toward harmonized public health legislation across the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, with particular attention to involuntary mental health care and cross-border referral of mental health clients.

The four countries are taking steps to improve crisis preparedness, which is essential to ensuring the Kingdom can respond in a coordinated and effective manner to any health crisis.

Collective commitment

The consultation, hosted by the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor of Sint Maarten, concluded with the formal signing of conclusions underlining their collective commitment to strengthening public health systems and cooperation within the Kingdom.

Minister Richenel Brug (Sint Maarten): “Today’s agreements reflect our shared resolve to build a resilient, responsive, and collaborative public health system for the people of our islands. Strengthening these partnerships is essential to safeguarding health and well-being across the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.”

Minister Roderick Middelhof (Curaçao): “A strong health-care system is built on preparedness, prevention, mental well-being, quality, and a capable workforce. By committing to these principles together, we strengthen our collective resilience.”

State Secretary Judith Tielen (the Netherlands): “Patients who need complex mental health care are among the most vulnerable. We are stepping up for them by strengthening mental health services for everyone in the Kingdom. With our joint efforts we aim to create alignment between our laws and regulations in the field of involuntary mental health care. I am truly grateful for the willingness of each country to help provide these services to patients from islands where such care is not yet available.

Minister Melvin Wyatt – Ras (Aruba): “I would like to acknowledge an important moment for Aruba. We are honored to assume the chairmanship of the Four-Country Consultation for the coming year. It is a responsibility we welcome with commitment and pride. We look forward to hosting the next session and continuing the work we have collectively advanced today. Aruba will strive to continue fostering cooperation, innovation, and unity within the Kingdom — always guided by the conviction that a healthier Kingdom is indeed a stronger Kingdom.”

PHILIPSBURG:---  The St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) proudly announces the local winners of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) 2025 Poster and Essay Competition, spotlighting the outstanding creativity and critical thinking displayed by St. Maarten’s youth.

In the Junior Division, Kayra Balani of St. Joseph School captured first place in the Essay Competition, while Wish-Mae Bailey earned top honors in the Poster Category.

In the Senior Division, Raynella Gomez of St. Maarten Academy secured first place in the Essay Competition, and Evan Amatdjais emerged as the winner of the Poster Category.

All winning entries have been submitted to FCCA Headquarters for regional judging. Regional winners are expected to be announced on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.

May-Ling Chun, Director of Tourism, commended the students for their achievements, stating:
“We are incredibly proud of these young ambassadors who continue to showcase the depth of talent and imagination found here in St. Maarten. Their work reflects not only creativity but also a genuine understanding of the importance of tourism and community. We congratulate each of them and look forward to seeing how they shine on the regional stage.”

The St. Maarten Tourism Bureau extends its appreciation to all participating schools for their partnership and support.

STB congratulates all winners and wishes them every success as they represent St. Maarten in the regional competition.

For additional inquiries, contact STB at +1-721-549-0200.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The RISE Foundation proudly announces the launch of Christmas Angels 2025, a community-centered initiative designed to brighten the holiday season for more than 500 children, differently-abled persons, seniors, and vulnerable individuals across the island.
The program officially begins on Wednesday, November 26, with the first self-service Christmas tree available at TelEm, followed by in-person locations from November 27 to December 1, and extended self-service access through December 8.
Christmas Angels forms part of RISE Foundation’s Season of Light pillar, which focuses on uplifting families and individuals during the holiday season through community involvement, compassion, and direct giving.

The process is simple: community members select a handmade angel from any participating location, purchase a gift for the individual the angel represents—using the suggested ideas provided—and return the gift to the same location by the stated deadline. This direct exchange allows the public to personally brighten someone's Christmas in the community.
This year’s angels were created by participants from 13 organizations and schools, including community-based partners such as 721 Kids Foundation, Mental Health Foundation, Sister Basilia Center, Ujima Foundation, Leaders For Change Foundation, and Foster Care (Judicial & Institutional Services), along with public and private schools such as ACE Foundation, Leonald Conner School, Marie G. De Weever School, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School, Prins Willem Alexander School, Ruby Labega School, and Oranje School. Together, they represent more than 500 individuals across the island.
To make participation accessible across St. Maarten, Christmas Angels will be available at seven locations island-wide, covering major districts from Philipsburg to Bush Road, Simpson Bay, and Cole Bay. From November 27 to December 1, community members can pick an angel in person at the Government Administration Building, Cost U Less, and Super City, with operating hours shared on the RISE Foundation’s social media platforms. In addition to the in-person opportunities, self-service trees will be available from November 26 to December 8 at TelEm’s Philipsburg and Simpson Bay offices, from November 28 to December 8 at La Sucrière Bakery, and from November 29 to December 8 at Princess Juliana International Airport. These extended locations allow individuals to select and return angles at their convenience throughout the two weeks.

Before the gifts are purchased and the angels are selected, it is important to remember that every angel represents someone in our community—a child or teenager, a differently-abled youth or adult, a senior, or an individual navigating mental health challenges. Each one is a real person hoping for a brighter Christmas, and it is this human connection that lies at the heart of the program.

During recent visits to several of the participating organizations, the RISE team witnessed moments that reflected the true spirit of the program, including:

At Marie G. de Weever Primary School, one student proudly held up his angel and said, “I liked it when I was coloring the angel, and I hope someone picks me so that I can be supported.”

“We made these angels for you. We hope you appreciate it, and I hope you buy our gift. God bless your heart,” shared a participant from 721 Kids Foundation.
And at the Mental Health Foundation, Valencia Chambers-Hixon shared how meaningful the project has been for her clients. “Our clients created these beautiful angels with so much love, creativity, and emphasis. This promotes inclusion, raises awareness, and gives them hope knowing the community is involved in something they made. It brings more meaningfulness and joy for Christmas.

Community members are encouraged to take part by selecting an angel, purchasing a gift, and returning it during the designated period. Those who wish to support the initiative in another way may make a financial contribution to help cover gifts for unselected angels, logistical expenses, volunteer support, outreach, and promotional efforts to ensure no beneficiary is left out. Individuals, families, companies, and groups can also volunteer at in-person locations between November 27 and December 1 by contacting the RISE Foundation to register their availability.

For more information about the project, or to donate, volunteer, or make general inquiries, contact us at +1-721-584-7473 or +1-721-523-8421, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or message us on Facebook and Instagram at @risesxm.

PHILIPSBURG/MARIGOT:--- In the current edition of Karavan, literary scholar Eva Christina Kullberg takes Swedish readers on a tour de force through contemporary Caribbean “hurricane poetry,” said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP).
With the theme of Orkanpoesi (Hurricane Poetry), the journal was released less than two weeks before the catastrophic Hurricane Melissa caused widespread destruction in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba in late October 2025.
Though not planned as such, Karavan is both timely and reflective, featuring key storm-ridden literature that has emerged with remarkable resilience in the region—especially following the devastating hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017, said Sample.
As the theme editor who wrote the extensive scholarly introduction, Kullberg, an Uppsala University professor, also coordinated the selection and translation of the poems into Swedish.
She also conducted interviews, highlighting some seven poets and their work on how disaster disrupts the lives of people and devastates the land in Dominica, St. Martin, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Haiti.
From towering authors like Haiti’s Frankétienne to fast-emerging St. Martin voices like Faizah Tabasamu (Rochelle Ward), the Hurricane Poetry section fills 60 of the 96 pages in the Karavan literary journal (Nr. 3, 2025).
Poets and authors Fabian Adekunle Badejo, Celia Sorhaindo, Richard Georges, Ana Portnoy Brimmer, and Lasana M. Sekou are also featured in the Orkanpoesi edition of Karavan.
Some of the books from which poems were translated from their original English, Spanish, or French include the HNP titles Tangle by Tabasamu, SOS: Season of Storms by Badejo, and Hurricane Protocol by Sekou, said Sample.