Strengthening Water Shed Management and Post Disaster Assessment in Belize

Orlando Habet

Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, Orlando Habet, made his contributions to the budget debate on Wednesday. He gave an overview of his ministry’s accomplishments over the last fiscal year. And, according to Minister Habet, in the upcoming financial year, significant investments will be made in Belize’s watershed management efforts, as well as post disaster assessment mechanisms following Hurricane Lisa.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development

“The health of our water shed systems is a crucial factor n building our country’s climate change resilience. In addressing the issue of water sheds in Belize, the DOE in partnership with its international partners is mobilizing one point three million Belizean dollars to strengthen management of water resources in Belize through the design of policies and instruments for water planning in the Belize River and the New River watersheds. Furthermore, the ministry through its policy, planning, and projects unit is currently leading the development of Belize’s first Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) to facilitate a more comprehensive assessment of the damage, losses and recovery needs for the country, following the passage of hurricane Lisa in November of 2022.”