PHILIPSBURG:--- During Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing (November 12, 2025), Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina provided updates on his recent meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, focusing on humanitarian aid to Jamaica and the Kingdom’s position on Caribbean regional tensions.
Kingdom Extends Support to Jamaica After Hurricane Devastation
Prime Minister Mercelina shared that, following the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Irma’s recent passage over Jamaica, he had requested that the Kingdom of the Netherlands assist Jamaica in its recovery efforts.
“Seeing the aftermath of the destruction, and realizing that we have a great Jamaican diaspora here in St. Martin, I requested the Minister of Foreign Affairs for us as a Kingdom to do our part in assisting Jamaica,” he said.
Mercelina confirmed that the Royal Netherlands Navy ship Pelican arrived in Jamaica on November 4, 2025, carrying humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, and other essential supplies.
“The warship Pelican arrived in Jamaica delivering a lot of goods, and after delivering the first batch, it left again for Barbados to refill and return to assist the people of Jamaica,” Mercelina explained.
He praised the collaborative effort, noting that the mission was coordinated with the Prime Ministers of Curaçao and Aruba, who also participated in the virtual meeting with the Dutch Foreign Minister.
“I’m very thankful to the whole Kingdom for their contribution to Jamaica, realizing that the Jamaicans living here in St. Martin form part of our nation,” he added.
