The Government of Belize along with other partners within the country, including the Belize Red Cross Society, media houses, businesses, churches and private citizens has embarked on various activities to assist the country of Haiti following the devastation caused by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that occurred on Tuesday, January 12, 2010.

The quake struck about 10 miles, south-west of the capital, Port-au-Prince and was quickly followed by several aftershocks of lesser magnitude.

Arrangements are now being made for the deployment of the CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU) to Haiti later this week. The CDRU, of which Belize is a member, is estimated to comprise 31 members from participating countries of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).
The Government of Belize through the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) is pledging assistance of the Belize Defence Force in the form of medical and skilled personnel the use of aircraft, nurses and doctors from the Ministry of Health, and an 8 member team skilled in search and rescue all of whom are currently on standby.

The Government of Belize will send food, water, and, if necessary, clothing once CDEMA is ready to receive the supplies in Jamaica or Haiti.
Additionally, NEMO through its district coordinators has a public appeal for cash relief as a means of quick initial assistance.

The Belize response to Haiti is part of a wider international recovery effort being undertaken to alleviate the destruction and human suffering in the hemisphere’s poorest nation.

For more information please contact:
Mr. Idelso Leslie,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belmopan.
Tel: 501-822-2167