Hurricane Preparedness for 2022 Hurricane Season

Orlando Habet

Seventeen days into the official hurricane season, there have already been reports of flooding, especially in southern Belize. Fortunately, there are no major weather systems affecting Belize at this time. But, constant rains are a sign that we will experience an above average 2022 hurricane season. Well, the minister responsible for Disaster Risk Management, Orlando Habet, says that first responders are prepared. Today, he told the press that hurricane shelters are ready and volunteers are prepared to work in the event of any emergency.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, Disaster Risk Management

“I think from NEMO’s stand point we are very prepared. We started very early looking at from January they did the assessments of the hurricane shelters, tried to do some refurbishment where it was possible, training has been done for the new people who have been employed and repeat training for those who are already there so that they are consistent and up o date with new material. We might have some problems maybe in terms of NEMO itself having sufficient vehicles. But, because we have committees and then NEMO employs the assistance of various committees so you have, Human Development, Ministry of Infrastructure, Agriculture, so when it comes together then it makes a complete team. I think that where we might have some glitches is on the side of the housing because not all the shelters are adequate. Some are under the control of the government because those are hurricane shelters. Some are under the control of the schools which might be a state school or a church-state school. So those may not be at a hundred percent. So most of those that were not were taken out and substituted with other facilities.”