NEMO Says Belize Hurricane Preparations Already Underway

With the start of the Atlantic hurricane season now just seventy-five days away, Belize’s National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) says preparations are already well underway to ensure the country is ready for any potential storm threats.  Officials say planning and coordination efforts began several months ago as part of the country’s annual readiness strategy. The organization is working alongside government ministries, emergency responders, and local authorities to review contingency plans, inspect shelters, and strengthen national response mechanisms ahead of the June start of the hurricane season.  Minister Henry Charles Usher, who has portfolio responsibility for NEMO, says the government has been proactive in ensuring that key preparations are carried out well in advance.  Usher explained that early planning is critical, particularly as climate change continues to intensify weather systems across the region. He noted that NEMO has been working closely with district emergency committees, first responders, and community leaders to ensure that shelters, evacuation procedures, and communication systems are all in place.  

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service: “Well NEMO has already started its work in terms of shelter inspections, looking at the shelters that need to be repaired. They’ve also commenced work in putting together the different committees that fall under NEMO and to make sure that the information, the public information sessions are also done. We’re also right in the middle, we’ve started, of the fire season so we’ve also done some public awareness campaigns for the fire season and we want to continue to make sure that the public is aware. We’re building capacities within the communities, within the schools in different areas for disaster risk management, mitigation etc. So the work has started. It’s a year round work it doesn’t only happen during Hurricane Season.”

In addition to infrastructure readiness, authorities are also encouraging residents to begin making their own household preparations by reviewing emergency plans, securing homes, and assembling disaster supply kits.  The Atlantic hurricane season runs annually from June 1 through November 30.