Belize Red Cross hands out relief to victims of Hurricane Richard

But in the city, victim’s of Sunday’s hurricane lined up today for assistance. A team from the Belize Red Cross meandered through the clutter and debris in the Yarborough area and started handing out supplies to the most affected victims, many who have been left homeless. But as incredible as their need is, some residents were not convinced that the delivery system was fair. News Five’s Delahnie Bain was on the Southside when the relief was being handed out.

Delahnie Bain, Reporting

Volunteers from the Belize Red Cross arrived today in the Cesar Ridge area like Santa Clause bearing large bags of relief items. According to Communications Assistant, Elizabeth Ayala, they’re focusing on the families that suffered the most devastation.

Elizabeth Ayala, Communications Assistant, Belize Red Cross

“Yesterday a couple of our volunteers came out—our staff members—came out to this area, Cesar Ridge, and they assessed the situation of the different families that were affected during the hurricane. So what we’re doing, based on that assessment is we packed all the goods that you’re seeing back here which include kitchen sets, hygiene kits, just basic things that people will need in this type of emergency and tarps as well for people that lost their roofs and now we’re out here distributing these items to people that were most affected.”

Ayala says their assessments show that most people need items to help with the clean-up efforts.

elizabeth ayala

Elizabeth Ayala

“Right now it’s mostly clothing and cleanup kits because for all these families out here, most of their things were completely covered in water so those that have water have been able to wash a few things out but mostly it’s that type of thing that they have lost for right now. And like I said some of them that lost roofs and some of them that completely lost their house, we’re giving them tarps. So that’s also one of the most pertinent needs.”

But while some residents were glad for the help, the volunteers were met with hostility by some bystanders who felt they were only assisting a chosen few.

Elizabeth Ayala

“I think people, when they saw the things coming in, there were a lot of people that weren’t here yesterday that weren’t at their homes or that live a couple of blocks down and well seeing that everyone has different needs they all were eager to receive those goods. But obviously we can’t help everyone; we need to help the people that are most affected first. So that’s kind of what we’re doing in trying to help those first and then get along to other people that still have a home and still have certain things that they can work with.”

Delahnie Bain for News Five.