Belize

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1 HFA National Reports
2 National Platform
3 HFA National Focal Point
- 3.1 Technical Focal Point:
4 Other contacts
5 Country profile:
6 Climate change
7 Progress
8 Others Documents:
9 Web Links:

HFA National Reports

National Report 2007: no reported

National Report 2006: no reported

National Report 2005: no reported

National Platform

No National Platform reported

HFA National Focal Point

National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO)

Address: NEMO Headquarters, Belmopan, Belize

Phone:011 (501-8) 222054 / Fax: 011(501-8) 222861

Contact person: Lt. Col. George Lovell, Deputy National Emergency Coordinator

E-mail: nationalcoordinator@nemo.org.bz; george.lovell@nemo.org.bz

Website: http://www.nemo.org.bz

Technical Focal Point:

Mr. Martin Alegria, Chief Environmental Officer.

Address: 1012, Ambegris Avenue, Belmopan, Belize, Central America

Phone: (011-501-8)222816 / Fax: (011-501-8)222862

E-mail:alegria.martin@gmail.com

Other contacts

Permanent Mission of Belize to the United Nations Office and Specialized Agencies in Geneva

Chief:

Her Excellency Mrs. Janine Elizabeth Coye-Felson

Ambassador

Deputy Permanent Representative

Address: c/o Permanent Mission of Belize to the United Nations 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1911, N.Y. 10017 New York

Tel: +1 (212) 986-1240, Fax: +1 (212) 593-0932

Email: blzun@belizemission.com

UN System Coordination

UNDG: UNCT Belize

UN Resident Coordinator:

Ms. Jessica Faieta

E-mail: jessica.faieta@undp.org

National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO):

Peter Parchue, National Disaster Coordinator

Tel: (011-501-8)222054 / fax: (011-501-8)222861

E-mail: nemo@btl.net

Website: http://www.nemo.org.bz

CDERA member: Lt. Col. George Lovell, Deputy National Coordinator, National Emergency Management Organization.

Address: Nemo Headquarters, Belmopan, Belize (Central America)

Phone: (011-501-8) 222054 / Fax: (011-501-8) 222861

E-mail: nemobelize@nemo.org.bz / NationalCoordinator@nemo.org.bz

Website: http://www.nemo.org.bz

PAHO/WHO Belize: Dr. D. Beverley Barnett, PAHO/WHO Representative

Address: No. 168 Newtown Barracks, Belize City, Belize / P.O. Box 1834, Belize City, Belize

Phone: (011-501-2)2448-85; 2448-52; 2455-36; 2339-46 / Fax:(011-501-8) 2309-17

E-mail: admin@blz.paho.org

Website: [www.blz.paho.org www.blz.paho.org]

Belize Red Cross Society:

Address: 1 Gabourel Lane, Belize City, Belize / - P.O.Box 413

Phone: (011-501) 227-3319 / 223-3617 / 223-4276 / Fax:(011-501)223-0998

E-mail: [maito:bzercshq@btl.net bzercshq@btl.net]

Website: http://belize.caribbeanredcross.org/

Country profile:

Name: Belize

Capital: Belmopan

Population: 279,457 (July 2005)

Area: 22,966 sq km

Religion: Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27%, other 14%,

Language: English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole

Ethnic groups: WMestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%

Government: Parliamentary democracy

Currency: Belizean dollar

Position in the HDI: 91°

Belize, situated on the east coast of Central America, is affected by hurricanes, tidal waves, floods, landslides, fire disasters and wind damage.

Hurricanes have had the most devastating effect on Belize, and high winds and storm surges regularly cause damage. The coastal areas are especially exposed. As the land is drained by relatively fast-moving rivers, flash floods often occur. The second largest barrier reef in the world covers the entire coastline, engendering storm surges due to the shallow bay. Furthermore, the proximity of the country to the boundary of three tectonic plates makes it prone to seismic hazards.

The most recent hurricanes to affect the country were Keith in 2000, causing three deaths and major damage, and hurricanes Chantal and Iris in 2001, with the latter causing 22 deaths due to a capsized boat. Hurricane Mitch of 1998 did not affect Belize directly, but did cause severe rains and floods in the coastal areas. An Emergency Operation Centre was established in Belize City to evacuate more than 75,000 people from the city and the coastal islands to temporary shelters in Belmopan.

The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) was established in 1999 in the aftermath of hurricane Mitch. It comprises the Cabinet, with the Prime Minister as the chairperson, the Cabinet Secretary as secretary, the NEMO secretariat and 10 Operational Committees on various response-related activities. The Belize Red Cross, the Belize Teachers Union, the Chief .

Meteorological Officer, the Commandant of the Belize Defence Force and the Commissioner of Police are the other permanent members. Furthermore, there are nine District Emergency Committees, chaired by the Senior Minister in each district, which are integral to NEMO.

In April 1999, the National Disaster Plan on Hurricane Preparedness was updated and published. To test this plan, a countrywide simulation exercise (Exercise Millennium Breeze) took place in May 1999.

NEMO is focusing on training the trainers, thereby enabling the District Emergency Committees to set up their own training teams. It furthermore conducts shelter inspection. Emergency plans for hurricane, floods, fires and oil spill are being prepared.

Source: ISDR/The Americas.