Belmopan, Belize, April 21, 2006 (NEMO) - Disaster Managers of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency’s (CDERA) Participating States have concluded their review of CDERA’s initiatives over the last year. The occasion was the Sixteenth Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency held in Belize.

The Directors of CDERA expressed their support for the various initiatives that were accomplished over the last year including training for over a thousand emergency personnel, 70 national/regional disaster workshops, and the delivery of emergency search and rescue equipment and tools to various disaster offices throughout the Caribbean.

During their deliberations, the Directors approved revised plans for Damage and Needs Assessment (DANA), Relief Policies and Search and Rescue. These plans were revised based on the lessons learnt and identified from recent regional and international events. The DANA policy and program protocols are being considered as models for adoption by disaster managers in Latin America.

The Board considerations for the Cricket World Cup 2007 (CWC) also identified critical resource gaps to be addressed to complete the intense process in a timely and efficient manner. This special report will be presented to the Ad-Hoc Committee of Ministers of National Security to be held next week in Barbados.

Belmopan, Belize, October 29, 2008 (National Emergency Management Organisation) - BELIZE RURAL: The Belize Rural District Emergency Coordinator reports that flood waters continue to rise rapidly in the Belize River Valley Area. Not only are the people in the BELRIV area feeling the effects of the flooding, but the livestock population as well. Today members of the Emergency Committee and volunteers continue to transfer herds of cattle from May Pen Village to Grace Bank. The Burrell Boom road leading from the Northern Highway remains closed to vehicular traffic. Burrell Boom can be accessed only through the Hattieville area.

Belmopan, May 3, 2007, NEMO - The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) announces the inauguration of a newly constructed warehouse at Independence Village in the Stann Creek District. The 5,000 sq. ft. facility was officially inaugurated on April 30 by Belize’s National Emergency Coordinator, Lt. Col. (Ret’d) George Lovell and United States Ambassador, Robert Dieter.

The Southern Regional Warehouse was constructed under the general agreement for economic and technical cooperation between the United States Government and the Government of Belize. The United States Government provided, through the United States Southern Command Humanitarian Assistance Program, funding, and the US Government Construction Agency provided technical assistance using contracted services. They also oversaw the terms and specifications of the contract. The Government of Belize and NEMO provided access to the real estate, a clear title to the land, electricity and water to the site. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance provided full duty and tax exemptions for items used in the construction of the building. The building was constructed by John D. Engineering Ltd. at an estimated cost of four hundred thousand dollars United States dollars ($US 400,000.00).

Belmopan, Apr 3, 2006 (Belize National Emergency Management Organization, NEMO) -A workshop to consider the Model Integrated Relief Policy for the Caribbean and its implications for Belize was recently completed at the headquarters of the National Emergency Management Organization in Belmopan.

BELMOPAN, March 17, 2006 (NEMO) - The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) inaugurated a newly constructed warehouse in Belmopan on March 16, 2006. The 5,000 sq. ft. facility was completed at a cost of over Four Hundred Thousand US dollars ($400,000 US) that was provided through a combined effort of the United States Government and the Government of Belize.

Belmopan, Feb 21, 2006 (National Emergency Management Organization) - Members of NEMO-Belize have completed a certified training course on Basic First Aid and CPR techniques from a Canadian non-profit organization.

The training course was facilitated by Bandage International, a non-profit organization based in Nova Scotia, Canada that has a cordial working relationship with the Belize Red Cross.

NEMO (National Emergency Management Organization) District Emergency Coordinators trained alongside public officers from various ministries and members of the Belmopan Branch of the Red Cross. Activities included administering CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation), treating skin burns, caring for wounded persons, controlling severe bleeding, transporting persons with spinal injuries and others.

One component of the training that benefited the District Emergency Coordinators was the mass casualty identification and evacuation exercise. This component strengthens NEMO’s ability to manage persons who suffer from injuries during an incident involving many lives.