Belizean businesses help fire victims

“Nine houses in nine days” is the theme of the rebuilding effort in Maya Mopan Village following a fire last week which left dozens homeless. Today those involved in the reconstruction told News Five they want the victims staying at the Red Cross Shelter in Belmopan to come back to houses that are better than the ones they lost. Local Belmopan businesses as well as national companies such as Belmopan Sand and Gravel, Wood Depot, W.J. Habet, Builders Hardware, Bradstar, Gallardo Services, Colormart, Cisco Construction and the Spanish Lookout Outreach Program have readily come forward. Several have opened lines of credit to the victims. Others have offered discounts, given materials outright, or provided trucks and other equipment. Yesterday the Prime Minister Said Musa toured the area and donated food. He had a meeting today to talk about further assistance. The Minister of Budget Planning and Management Ralph Fonseca has committed himself to providing building materials and the United Democratic Party supplied a light plant so power tools can be used. The Ministry of Health has been contacted to assist with providing plans for latrines, an amenity the previous homes did not have. The nine homes will have zinc roofs and cement floors and should be finished this weekend.