$150 million in damages from hurricanes; 5,000 for “food assessment”

Posted: Wednesday, November 25, 2020. 6:58 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: During Cabinet’s meeting on Tuesday, details of a preliminary report by the National Emergency Management Organization on the impact of rains from Hurricanes Eta and Iota were issued.

Minister for Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, Orlando Habet, listed preliminary estimates of losses to agriculture, housing and infrastructure at $150 million Belize dollars.

Neither weather system struck Belize directly, but each dumped between eight and sixteen inches of rain over several days, much of which is still coming down the Belize River toward the River Valley and Belize City. Nearly all rivers and streams are still impacted countrywide.

To alleviate the needs of persons affected by the flooding situation, Cabinet approved the request for funding by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management, for food assessment for 5,000 Belizeans.

Concerning infrastructure and the road network, Minister for Infrastructure Development and Housing Julius Espat requested and Cabinet approved initial funding to begin road works especially on the major roads and highways severely impacted by the recent rains and floods. The Cabinet will revisit this matter at its next regular meeting.

Belize is expected to receive assistance from the Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank Group and Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) as well as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to tend to various needs in the wake of these hurricanes.

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