By Aaron Humes: Minister of Disaster Risk Management Andre Perez cited a damage cost of more than $8 million so far in the Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) of wildfires occurring in the Toledo, Cayo, Stann Creek, and Belize Districts in the last month.
The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve has ten thousand hectares affected by fires, not to mention thousands of acres of farmland, and the loss of two houses just yesterday in Blue Creek, Toledo District.
Half a million dollars has been allocated from the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) Contingency Fund, with support from the Belize Red Cross, the U.S. Government, and other agencies, to help fight the fires and start the process of rebuilding. Additionally, the Toledo District has been declared a disaster area to allow for the seeking of international relief and funding.
Even as firefights continue and many pray for rain to come, the Minister thanked all those who have been helping and on the frontline of this national emergency.
