3 weeks ago
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A new coastal resilience initiative is set to get underway in Dangriga, as key government officials and stakeholders gathered this morning for the official launch of a Coastal Project aimed at strengthening environmental protection and climate adaptation efforts. The project is being rolled out under the Adaptation Fund in collaboration with the Protected Areas Conservation Trust, signaling a continued national focus on safeguarding Belize’s vulnerable coastal ecosystems. The morning’s proceedings included welcome remarks from Dangriga Mayor Robert Mariano, followed by a project overview delivered by Dr. Juana Garcia Saqui, the Adaptation Fund Project Coordinator. A key highlight of the event was special remarks from Minister of Constitution and Religious Affairs, Indigenous Affairs, and Transportation, and Area Representative for Dangriga Doctor Louis Zabaneh, who is expected to underscore the importance of the initiative for communities along the southern coast.
Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Transport: “We’re very pleased to launch the Coastal project that’s being administered through PACT. We have funding from the Adaptation Fund. It’s a truly collaborative project where we’re seeing many ministries coming together and agencies within ministries for an eight million dollar project that includes a number of areas for the protection of our coastline in essence. And today it was launched here in Dangriga and we are very pleased to have been chosen as the place where the project will actually start right here at the multi-purpose park.”
Reporter: So how far is project we go? Starting where and end up where?
Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Transport: “Well, it’s all along the coast, you know, we’ve had significant impacts from climate change, a lot of erosion. Most recently there was a lot of coverage of what’s happening in Monkey River. But this is the case all over. Here in Dangriga, we see it over the years that from Pelican all the way to Commerce Bight, in front of the community, we’ve seen significant erosion over the years. And so this project will look at early warning systems, it will look at how we can restore what we’ve lost and we know that from scientific work done recently that a lot of the sand is right outside in front of the beach and we are planning to bring that back to its original state as best as is possible.”
Reporter: So what are some of the strategies that are going to be used to sensitize the community?
Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Transport: “Well, we’ve already been talking about this for some time. It’s a project that’s at least three years in the planning. And so we are very pleased that today it is actually kicking off. And within the next few months, we’ll be able to start to see significant work right here in front of the multipurpose part.”
The project launch also reflects broader government efforts to build climate resilience, particularly in coastal communities that are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise and extreme weather events. Minister of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, Andre Perez, also addressed the gathering, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to sustainable marine and coastal management.
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