The San Pedro neighborhood of San Mateo on Ambergris Caye, Belize has been identified as at risk by the Belize Red Cross Society. Flooding caused by tropical storms and hurricanes coupled with insufficient water and electric infrastructure has resulted in increased risk of fire and spread of disease. Belize Red Cross Director General, Lily Bowman suggested the area as the focus of a June 13-21, 2015 survey and research project, being made possible by Florida State University Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program (FSU EMHS).
FSU EMHS, in partnership with the local Red Cross Society, is seeking to measure the water and sanitation situation of the San Mateo community and to assess storm vulnerabilities. The research project will include a site survey of the San Pedro neighborhood. The FSU team, which includes six researchers / graduate students plus faculty and staff, will travel June 13-21, 2015 to provide research survey technical assistance.
In March 2015 the FSU Emergency Management & Homeland Security Program (FSU EMHS) and the Florida Association for Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and the Americas (FAVACA) held meetings with the San Pedro Belize Red Cross Branch Coordinator, Shirlee Arnould and Red Cross Volunteer Laurie Norton, among others to discuss emergency management needs and to explore technical assistance. FAVACA helps facilitate projects that are demand driven; resulting from needs identified locally and defined in collaboration with partners and community members.
FAVACA is a non-profit international development agency that provides short term training and technical assistance throughout Latin America and has completed more than 175 trainings in Belize since 1988. Projects have included emergency management, institutional strengthening, elder affairs, pork and poultry production, and agriculture. Technical assistance is provided at no cost to our overseas partners and traditionally has been supported by the State of Florida, US Federal contracts and grants, private foundations, and individual donations.
For more information please contact: Demian Pasquarelli, 850 445 7283 and demian@favaca.org
