Belize and the Republic of China (Taiwan) have signed an agreement for an ‘ambitious initiative’ aimed at strengthening Belize’s capacity to prepare for and respond to disasters.
A government statement said that over the next four years, the Belize Multi-Hazard Risk Management Capacity Building Project, which it described as an ‘ambitious initiative’ will empower government to better anticipate and respond to disasters, enhancing hazard monitoring, forecasting, early warning, and emergency response.
‘By zeroing in on critical challenges like flood and wildfire management, and fostering strong partnerships among organizations such as the National Emergency Management Organization, the National Meteorological Service, the National Hydrological Service, and the Forest Department, the project aims to safeguard communities, preserve natural resources, and protect vital infrastructure.’
The government said that the initiative has since been formalised after Public Service, Disaster Risk Management and Enterprise Minister, Henry Charles Usher, Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management Minister, Orlando Habet, and Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize, Amino Chi, signed the joint Memorandum of Understanding.