The San Pedro Branch of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) through the Emergency Operation’s Committee (EOC) takes the opportunity to express its heartfelt gratitude to the residents of Ambergris Caye and the people of Belize who assisted the fire victims of San Pedro Town.
NEMO worked along with the San Pedro Lions Club, The San Pedro Branch of the Belize Red Cross, the San Pedro Food Bank, the San Pedro Town Council and hundreds of tourism stakeholders and donors on the island and mainland Belize to assist in the relief efforts. Within hours of the fire, all families were placed in hotels who had offered to shelter the affected fire victims. A few victims opted to remain with family members and friends.
Since the devastating fire NEMO, working along with the community and tourism sector, ensured that three meals of warm food were served to both the victims and clean-up volunteer crew for six days. Working in collaboration with various agencies, NEMO ensured that all 34 household received mattresses, table-top stoves, butane tanks, hygiene kits, blankets, towels, clothing, food for up to six weeks and two weeks shelter at various hotels. NEMO has also reached out to the affected families and offered free counseling for those requiring assistance. The San Pedro Town Council, with the assistance of volunteers from various organizations and businesses, has also been working closely with NEMO to ensure that the fire site is clear of any debris.
Humanitarian efforts conducted by The Red Cross and the San Pedro Lions Club through the coordination of The San Pedro NEMO office has yielded over $225,000.00. The San Pedro EOC takes the opportunity to inform the public that the deadline for the submission of pledges and monetary donations is July 31st, 2016. Pledges and donations can be deposited at the following accounts: San Pedro Red Cross – Belize Bank Account No: 620911031720 AND San Pedro Lions Club Fire Relief Fund – Atlantic Bank Account No: 211-382-902. Please note that the EOC has suspended the collection of food and clothing.
The San Pedro EOC advises the public that no other entities, businesses or private citizens are authorized to collect or raise funds on behalf of the San Pedro Fire Victims. Anyone wishing to conduct any form of fundraising for the San Pedro Fire Victims, is asked to contact The San Pedro Town Council to make necessary arrangements and one of the authorized organizations be present, to oversee the event for transparency purposes.
NEMO will be working closely with the Human Development Department, the Belize Red Cross, the San Pedro Lions Club and the San Pedro Town Council to conduct further household assessments with the 34 affected families as well as the property and business owners who suffered complete and partial losses.
NEMO would like to thank all those organizations, businesses and private citizens who helped in rendering assistance to the fire victims as well as the relief efforts.
On Monday, June27th, approximately 12:30PM, a fire in the downtown area of San Pedro on Pescador Drive erupted, causing significant loss to various properties, estimated at over $1 Million. In the wake of the fire, 11 structures were completely destroyed and 7 were partially destroyed. A total of 8 businesses were affected and 98 people were affected in 34 households.
