Red Cross Volunteers Shine Bright During Hurricane Relief

Last week, the country needed a look on the bright side, as we anxiously awaited the arrival of Hurricane Lisa to make landfall on Belize. It’s been ten days and we have seen several good news, particularly in the manner in which communities have come together to help each another. This week, Sabreena Daly takes a look at volunteering through the mighty organization of The Belize Red Cross.

Sabreena Daly, Reporting

When disaster strikes, it’s all hands-on deck. A week after Hurricane Lisa made landfall in Belize, humanitarian efforts are still activated and rendering necessary assistance to families most affected. Over at the Belize Red Cross, this is a regular day on the job, but in the face of a natural disaster, the halls get busier.

Tanya Hulse, Belize Red Cross Communications Officer

Tanya Hulse

“We simply help people, that’s the core of what we do. We’re a volunteer organization. We do humanitarian work. We offer food, food items to underprivileged communities. People come to us for food, clothing and basic necessities.”

The service organization also carries a component that provides disaster response to persons in need. It’s a heavy load for a staff of six members.

Sabreena Daly

“And in the face of natural disasters, it takes more than a handful of persons to get the job done. And indeed so, we’re not looking at representation of six. How do they do it? It takes a village.”

Tanya Hulse

“A lot of times, the Red Cross is synonymous with help and their presence and the immediacy of their presence in the aftermath of disaster but while we are out there and liaising and cooperating with Government officials, ninety percent of the persons who are out there for the Red Cross are volunteers. These are nonpaid citizens who just do what they do out the goodness of their hearts.”

Ricardo is a businessman. He’s been offering his service to the Red Cross since he was eleven years old. This year, he brought his staff out to lend a helping hand.

Ricardo Borja, Red Cross Volunteer

Ricardo Borja

“Part of my teenage life was being part of the Red Cross, being in training, going to the first aid stuff, going to the parades and drives. That was my life. My friends were and are from the Belize Red Cross Volunteers group. We built bonds so its really nice that a couple years later, now we can come back to the Red Cross and I’m not just able to bring back help but I’m actually able to incorporate my staff members and everyone from my staff is actually willing to do it because I asked them.”

Anigi Conorquie

Anigi Conorquie, Volunteer

“It feels great to give back to people who are less fortunate. This disaster really hit some people more than others. While we were out, we saw people having flooding up to five feet covering cars while my area or my yard is just mud. I wasn’t affected much, so, it feels great to give back to others that are less fortunate.”

Tanya Hulse

“We have served over one thousand, one hundred and fifty-six families already. We’ve delivered to that volume of families. If you look at it, we’re talking six staff members with the assistance of amazing volunteers, thirty-eight volunteers that have been able to serve that volume of people.”

And one of those upcoming service members is young Arayah that’s eagerly waiting to be eighteen to represent the Red Cross team out on the field.

Arayah Tate, Red Cross Volunteer

Arayah Tate

“I have been volunteering here for a few weeks. It’s kind of fun but also kind of chaotic. But I love helping people, especially Belizean people because I know how hard it is especially this time, hurricane. I just love helping people and I think that’s what I want to do long term.”

Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.