NEMO received Hurricane relief from U.S. Southern Command
On Tuesday the US Government was bearing gifts. Close to a million dollars were delivered to numerous NGO’s. Today the top brass of the US Southern Command delivered his own goodies; this time the recipient was NEMO, who got equipment that will come in handy in emergencies. News Five’s Jose Sanchez was present for the ceremony.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
The United States government has handed over three hundred thousand dollars worth of equipment to be used in times of emergency to NEMO. The presentation was made by Lieutenant General P.K. Keen, the Military Deputy Commander of the U.S. Southern Command.
Lt. Gen. P.K. Keen, Military Deputy Commander, U.S. Southern Command
“The total value of supplies and equipment is about two hundred and ninety-six thousand Belize dollars. this donation was funded by the humanitarian assistance project known as HAP, and deployment of the light engineering company was enabled by global peace operation initiative and program by the department of state and we have the U.S. Southern Command to help execute those programs.”
Noreen Fairweather, NEMO Coordinator
Noreen Fairweather
“There has been a relationship between the Belize and SouthCom for some years now. We have had a significant partnership, collaboration and they have always extended tremendous amount of support. We owe as we speak to our warehouse at the national headquarter here in Belmopan the support from SouthCom, the one in Independence, retrofitting, training, equipment, the complete works. And this has happened not just today. So mtodayis just a ceremony for a handing over but it is more than that; it’s continued partnership, continued relationship.”
lt. gen. P.K. Keen
Lt. Gen. P.K. Keen, Military Deputy Commander, US Southern Command
“Miss Fairweather, I think the example of your national emergency management organization is one to be emulated here in the region and we are always amazed at how you are able to kick into action very quickly follow storms and to take care of people in Belize and we are always proud to be a partner with you when the need arises to provide assistance.”
Lieutenant General Keen also recognized the BDF’s presence and goodwill after the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
Lt. Gen. P.K. Keen, Military Deputy Commander, US Southern Command
“Our U.S. Department of State through the Global Peace Operation Initiative or GPOI has been working with and supporting the B.D.F. and the light engineering company in Belize since 2006. The program aims to build and maintain the capability, capacity and effectiveness for peace operations.”
Melvin Hulse
Melvin Hulse, Minister of NEMO
“Our military people have been part of nearly every exercise outcome done. They have been one of the pioneers in pushing the kind of structure we want in disasters. And the warehouses, you might think we di make a big thing out of a few donations today, but that donation is only qa continuation of what has been done for years and years of constant every giving. And if we didn’t have warehouses, we have fifty-two villages and two cities that got affected by Hurricane Richard. If it wasn’t for having these warehouses and having it at the level and standard and the hurricane proof—we have one in Ladyville, we have one in Belmopan, we have one in Independence and we hoping to beg them for one in Orange Walk—that is the whole purpose of the trip. Those immediate things where our people can get out there and help the grass root people with food within a few hours of the hurricane ending would not happen. It’sd what we have in the warehouse and those things that come now will help the thousands of people that are now personally affected.”
Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.
OH LAWD DA WHY THIS MAN DA MINISTA A NEMO?? NOW I WILL BE AFRAID TO DONATE MY HARD EARNED CASH THIS MAN WILL POCKET IT ALL…..MAINS THIS SUX SOME DARN HARD A***.
@lol at belizean you have me laughing!!! lol true statement
Belizean….you are so right. Ms. Palma was fired because of these arrogant minister’s daughter. We loose a seasoned public officer that is the best person to represent us in UK. Politician dem a fraud….nuff said.
it would be o.k if only the NEMO would hold to it BUT if the nasty gov stick his hand in the donations take it for granted it’s gonna be messed up for real.
well to honest dis country ina a bad mess minister only think in getting rich and dont care wat they have to do look at it crime have gone up cost a living up passport sale up corruption not even mek sence to mention it listen people and am begging the media to pls say this BMDC is charging poor importers an illegal fee just to mek Montero son own a million dollars house pls my people open ur eyes PUP mi du r—-s dem one ya de du m——-da r——–s lets stand up they r killing us please PM where r u with u b——-l s—–t wen u said zero corruption
and to make it worst only a few enjoying it look at all the gov office eevry minister act as they own dem see wat Montero doing with BAHA he manipulates BAHA people are fired and he just send his people and no experience no interviews wat and to d seal they have as MD he only cud seh yeah yeah nothing else he da Montero puppet,please channel 5 mention dis pls
nice generator!! bet it will be installed at melvin hulse’s house.
Just pointing out … Different Cayo Buay posted earlier..
While I agree that it is much needed equipment and such, the people on the streets with no house to call a home and nowhere to sit and eat their meals, some without even a pair of drawers to put on to feel fresh needed the assistance more than NEMO.
Today we have thousands of displaced adults, children and pets that are sleeping on the sidewalks, under boxes or make shift tents. We have people having to go out cry for help, why was the money not used to assist some families build a new house? Why was it not used to provide food for those that need, those that are out on the streets helping to feed the vicitms?
Priorities are not being set out and it’s very sad that all that money went to an org that could have waited a bit longer for an upgrade.