CLOSE OF 2007 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON
By NEMO Information Unit
Nov 30, 2007, 01:00 pm
NEMO Headquarters, 30th
November, 2007- The 2007 Atlantic
Basin Hurricane Season closes today Friday, November 30 after an above-average
season, which produced fourteen (14) named storms with an unprecedented two
Category 5 Hurricanes making landfall in the same region.
On 21 August, 2007
Category 5 Hurricane Dean made landfall about thirty-two (32) miles north of Corozal Town and affected over 50,000 people in the
Corozal, Orange Walk and Belize Districts including San Pedro. Dean caused
severe suffering with damages to a tune of approx. US$100 m. Fortunately there
was no loss of life even though there were 12 deaths across the Caribbean.
The people, the government and councils of Belize, our
partners and stakeholders’ planning and response efforts paid off. Now that this season is over the Department
of NEMO will attempt to significantly increase its human resource and logistics
capacity in 2008 to be more effective in areas of preparedness and
response. The largest NEMO budget, in
our short history, has been finalized and submitted for approval for fiscal
year 2008 - 2009.
A national
Hurricane Dean ‘After Action Review’ was conducted with representatives from
the districts and national committees including NGOs during the first week of
November. It highlighted the need to improve Housing and Shelter. Suitable
buildings will be identified throughout Belize to shelter people who must
leave their homes when threatened by a hazard.
Emphasis will also be placed on private sector, municipalities and the
national NEMO committees’ coordination in areas of early warning; GIS
application to disaster reduction; public education; transportation; evacuation;
emergency care; damage assessment and relief supplies management. We will work
closely with schools, builders and financial lending institutions to look at
ways of how we can reduce vulnerability for people at risks. Our efforts must
always be geared towards humanitarian assistance for the affected before,
during and after an event.
NEMO’s Relief
Phase is over for Hurricane Dean and we are now in the Reconstruction
Phase. The priorities are considering
other hazards such as Floods and Fires as we replace homes; regenerate the
economy, rebuild infrastructure, improve drainage, repair roads and other
critical lifeline facilities such as schools that are used as shelters and
hospitals. The Caribbean Climate Change
experts are predicting that the intensity and frequency of Tropical Cyclones
should increase in the coming years. Individuals, families, private and public
sectors must ensure they have an emergency plan of action. NEMO, the Government of Belize (GOB),
educational institutions, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency
(CDERA), UN agencies, USAID-OFDA and the Red Cross will continue to play a
leading role in protecting our vulnerable population.
NEMO, through the
GOB and CDERA regional programme known as Comprehensive Disaster Management or
CDM ensures that NEMO continue to build capacity to lessen the impact from not
only Hurricanes and Floods but also from Dam failure; Oil Spills; Epidemics;
Earthquake, Tsunami and Mass Casualty incidents.
A very special
thanks to all who assisted those affected in the aftermath of Hurricane Dean,
especially the Governments of Taiwan; Brazil; Korea; Venezuela; the United
States; Mexico; Guatemala; the United Kingdom and Honduras. Gratitude is also
extended to UNICEF; UNDP; World Food Programme; the Belize Red Cross Society;
IDB; CDB; CDERA; IFRC; USAID; PACT; SSBand the Bowen Group of companies to name
only a few of the many organizations.
NEMO wishes to
thank, in general, the Belizean people, all embassies, high commissions and our
government ministries for all their hard work and support in 2007. In particular we thank those Public Officers
from the Departments of Human Development; the
Met Service; the BDF; the Police; the Coast Guard; Public Works; Customs;
Foreign Affairs; Agriculture and Fisheries;
Medical; Transport; Lands; Housing; Rural Development; National
Development; the Press Office; Services Commission; the Fire Department and
indeed others who gave selflessly.
We look forward
to more practical work in 2008. It is of
paramount importance that as a nation we start our preparations for the 2008
Hurricane Season from as early as next month.
May God continue
to bless Belize.
END