King Willem-Alexander visits SUN Netherlands

King Willem-Alexander visited SUN (Stichting Urgente Noden) on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of SUN Netherlands. Coordinator Karin Beenen of SUN Lekstroom was present at this visit together with policy advisor Monique de Nijs (municipality of IJsselstein) and social worker Erik van Abrona and his client Marco. SUN Lekstroom is available for residents of the municipalities of Nieuwegein, Vijfheerenlanden, Houten, IJsselstein and Lopik.

Photo: Grietje Mesman with Karin Beenen from Nieuwegein third from the right behind

The visit took place in Zutphen, where a new SUN emergency aid office has just been established. The King showed a lot of involvement and hopes that his arrival will contribute to the fame of SUN Netherlands and SUN emergency aid. The King talked to about twenty guests about the importance of emergency aid and the impact of the gift or interest-free loan on the lives of people who received it. In addition, the first results of the scientific research by the Vrije Universiteit into the effect of SUN emergency aid were explained.

110-year emergency response
In 1914, Queen Wilhelmina founded the Royal National Support Committee; the legal predecessor of SUN Netherlands. The aim was then and still is in 2024 to quickly respond to individual emergencies and to bundle and support local emergency aid initiatives. Although SUN Netherlands believes that the existence of 110 years of emergency aid (agencies) is not something to celebrate, we do believe that there is every reason to reflect on it. SUN emergency aid agencies are there for everyone and can offer perspective to people in urgent need with a gift on an interest-free loan, when people have nowhere else to turn. SUN Nederland is therefore very pleased with the attention of King Willem-Alexander for the work of SUN Nederland and the emergency aid agencies.

Meaning of emergency aid
To find out more about the meaning of emergency aid, SUN Netherlands has asked the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam to conduct research into this. The first results of the research show that people who receive a gift and/or interest-free loan, as well as aid and service providers, municipalities and donors, experience more space through SUN emergency aid. Beneficiaries because they not only get financial space, but also gain perspective in their lives. Aid and service providers are given more space to build a better bond of trust with their clients. Municipalities find the space to reach more residents and donors see a SUN emergency aid agency as a professional implementation organization that offers space to ensure that their donations are properly delivered to people with urgent needs. “If SUN’s formula is right, the donors will automatically follow!”said the King.

Three rounds of the table
The King was led past three discussion tables by the director of SUN Netherlands, Nathalie Boerebach. First of all, the King received an explanation of the history, the core tasks of SUN Netherlands and the establishment of emergency aid agencies. Councilor Eva Boswinkel said that SUN Zutphen’s working method fits in perfectly with the municipality’s poverty policy. De Koning noted that he could imagine this, because on average a municipality only reaches 10 to 15 percent of the people living with financial problems. Boswinkel agreed that this is precisely the reason why she has campaigned for the arrival of SUN Zutphen: its effect is already noticeable, because the municipality has a greater reach among its residents.

The VU research was central in a second round of discussions. The King then discussed the impact of emergency aid with people who have received a gift and/or interest-free loan, a municipal official and aid and service providers.

At the end of the visit, Nathalie Boerebach presented the King with a commemorative coin. This Royal coin was issued on August 5, 1939 on the occasion of the birth of Princess Irene. The proceeds from these types of commemorative coins that were purchased by the Dutch people at the time benefited the legal predecessor of SUN Netherlands to make emergency aid possible. The King was waved goodbye by enthusiastic schoolchildren as the sun broke through.