PHILIPSBURG:--- President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell on Wednesday morning met with representatives of the Filipino Community of St. Maarten Foundation led by its President Ferdinand Odono, and presented a personal check towards the nation-wide relief effort currently underway to help the typhoon victims.
On November 8 Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) struck the Philippines causing catastrophic damage to part of the island-chain.
To date the death toll is more than 4,000 people. The United Nations estimates around 11 million people have been affected by the typhoon.
The foundation representatives feel overwhelmed by the support from the St. Maarten community. According to Odono, the St. Maarten Filipino community is about 100 persons.
"I would like to express my condolences on behalf of the people, my colleague Members of Parliament and the House of Parliament for the devastating loss in the Philippines.
"The people of Sint Maarten can relate to the devastation after going through the experience with Hurricane Luis in 1995. Sint Maarten also received an outpouring at that time and since then it has changed all of our lives," President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell told the foundation's delegation on Wednesday.
President Arrindell added that the foundation is doing a great job with the fundraising relief effort and the country is showing overwhelmingly support, pointing out that whenever disaster strikes the people, the community comes together, and that the best of people comes out at such a time.
President Hon. Gracita Arrindell told the Filipino Community of St. Maarten Foundation to keep up the good work that they have been doing in the community over the years pointing out that they have been an asset to society.