September 5, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Flash Flood Alert Issued for Areas in Belize District

A Flash Flood Alert is now in effect for the Maskall area in Belize District and surrounding watersheds off the Eastern Slopes of the Mayan Mountains. In an official Flood Forecast, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum, and Mining urged residents to “closely monitor waterways and take caution.”

The Ministry’s Flood Forecast warns of elevated river levels over the next 24 hours. Above-normal levels are expected on the Rio Hondo at Blue Creek North, Santa Cruz, and San Antonio, with near-normal levels downstream at San Roman and Douglas.

Increased levels are expected on the Mopan River at Benque Viejo Town and above normal levels at San Ignacio on the Macal River, though below the low-level bridge. The Belize River at Double Run will have above-normal levels, while Crooked Tree Lagoon levels are expected to stay below the causeway.

The Sibun River at Freetown Sibun will experience bankfull stages and increasing levels on the Southern Lagoon at Gales Point Village. Watersheds on the Eastern Slopes of the Mayan Mountains and rivers like the Sittee, Monkey, and Deep Rivers will also see above-normal levels.

Above-normal levels are anticipated on the Sarstoon River.

Residents in these areas should stay alert for potential flooding.

Juvenile Bull Shark Found Dead in Belize City

A male juvenile bull shark was found dead near Seashore Park in Belize City this afternoon. The Ministry of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management reported that the Fisheries Department – Belize responded promptly to retrieve the shark.

“Initial inspection revealed attack marks on the shark’s body,” the Ministry stated. “The public is reminded that the shark season remains closed until the end of October. Any illegal activities must be reported to the Belize Fisheries Department,” the Ministry Added.

BEL Restores Power in Orange Walk and Corozal Districts After Severe Weather Outage

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) says it has successfully restored power to communities in the Orange Walk and Corozal districts following an extended outage caused by severe weather on Wednesday. The unplanned outage, which began at 12:23 p.m., affected areas from Yo Creek to Blue Creek, San Antonio, Santa Cruz, San Roman, San Luis, and other surrounding communities. Power was fully restored by 11:08 p.m.

BEL says the outage occurred when lightning storms damaged the main transformer at the Orange Walk substation, which supplies electricity to several northern communities. Once weather conditions improved, BEL teams swiftly replaced the damaged transformer, ensuring power was restored to all affected areas.

BEL says it continues to monitor unstable weather conditions nationwide, as extreme weather driven by climate change puts added pressure on the national power grid. It says that customers may experience intermittent outages as protective systems activate to safeguard the grid.

First Phase of Gaza Polio Vaccination Campaign Concludes Successfully

Over 187,000 children under the age of 10 in central Gaza were successfully vaccinated with the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) during the first phase of a two-round vaccination campaign, exceeding the initial target of 157,000 due to population movement towards the area. Conducted from September 1–3, the campaign reached areas outside the designated humanitarian pause zone, ensuring more children were protected against polio.

Polio vaccinations will continue at four major health facilities in central Gaza in the coming days to ensure no child is missed, with additional vaccine doses supplied to meet the demand.

Dr. Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the occupied Palestinian territory, expressed hope as thousands of children received vaccines, crediting the resilience of families and health workers. He highlighted the importance of respecting humanitarian pauses, which enabled the campaign’s success.

A total of 513 teams, including over 2,180 health and outreach workers, administered vaccines at 143 sites, including hospitals, camps, and public spaces. Mobile teams also targeted hard-to-reach areas. Special missions were carried out in insecure areas just outside the pause zone, ensuring children in these regions were not overlooked.

The next phase of the campaign, targeting 340,000 children in southern Gaza, will run from September 5–8, with 517 teams deployed. The third and final phase will be conducted in northern Gaza from September 9–11, aiming to vaccinate 150,000 children.

The campaign, organized by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in partnership with the WHO, UNICEF, UNRWA, and other global partners, seeks to vaccinate 640,000 children across two rounds to stop the outbreak and prevent further international spread of polio.

MCC CEO and US Ambassador Visit Belize City Schools

Following the recent approval of Belize’s $250 million grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Alice Albright, CEO of MCC, and Michelle Kwan, U.S. Ambassador to Belize, visited several secondary schools in Belize City, including Edward P. Yorke High School. The visit allowed Albright and Kwan to engage with students and teachers, gaining insight into the key challenges that hinder Belizean students from achieving their full potential in education.

Earlier in the week, Ambassador Kwan had officially welcomed Albright to Belize at the international airport, marking the start of a two-day visit focused on education and energy initiatives. The MCC, a U.S. government-funded organisation, is dedicated to reducing poverty through sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The Government of Belize (GOB) secured the $250 million grant to address two critical areas: approximately 80% of the funding will be directed toward improving secondary education and technical and vocational education training (TVET), while the remaining 20% will focus on reducing energy costs through the expansion of renewable energy sources and modernising the national electricity grid.

Wet da Wet! Carnival Road March this Saturday

The first week of Belize’s September festivities unveiled a tantalising preview of Saturday’s Carnival Road March, with Carnival Mas Bands showcasing just a taste of what’s to come. If you think you’ve seen it all, think again. This year’s carnival promises an explosion of vibrant colours, high-energy performances, and extravagant costumes.

However, attendees are advised to prepare for possible rain. Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon has reported that a tropical wave is expected to affect Belize. Although Gordon reassured the public that there are no tropical storm or hurricane warnings in effect, he warned of heavy rain and thunderstorms starting tonight: “There is a potential for excessive rainfall tonight and tomorrow. Decreasing on Saturday. So the good news for the activities on Saturday is that the rainfall will not be as heavy,” he stated.

So, hold on to your umbrellas for Belize’s annual carnival experience, rain or shine! Here’s a rundown of more activities for the coming weekend:

Belize City:

September 6: Street Fete at Marion Jones Sporting Complex, 9 PM – PAID
September 7: Carnival J’ouvert, starting at Belcan Bridge and winding through the principal streets of Belize City, 4 AM – FREE
September 7: Carnival Road March, beginning at Memorial Park, proceeding up Marine Parade, onto Barrack Road, then Princess Margaret Drive, and ending at Marion Jones Sporting Complex, 1 PM – FREE
September 8: 5th Martin’s Community Fest at Mahogany Street, 10 AM – FREE
September 8: National Day of Prayer and Ecumenical Service at Fordyce Chapel, SJC, 6 PM

Belmopan:

September 7: Food and Beer Fest at Independence Park, 5 PM
September 8: National Day of Prayer and Ecumenical Service at Independence Plaza, 9 AM

San Ignacio & Santa Elena:

September 6: Senior Citizen’s Day at Octavia Waight Centre, 11 AM
September 8: National Day of Prayer and Ecumenical Service

Benque Viejo:

September 8: National Day of Prayer and Ecumenical Service

Orange Walk:

September 8: National Day of Prayer and Ecumenical Service

Corozal:

September 8: National Day of Prayer and Ecumenical Service

San Pedro:

September 8: National Day of Prayer and Ecumenical Service

Dangriga:

September 8: National Day of Prayer and Ecumenical Service

Punta Gorda:

September 9: Fire Engine Parade through the principal streets of Punta Gorda, 7 PM

Climate Change Adaptation & Disaster Risk Management Project Launched

The Ministry of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management (MBEDRM), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has announced the launch of a new project aimed at enhancing the resilience of Belize’s coastal zones and fisheries sector. The “Community Engagement of the Coastal Zone and Fisheries Sector Through Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Capacity Building” project, valued at USD $200,000, is being funded under the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP).

Belize’s vulnerability to natural disasters, particularly those exacerbated by climate change, such as hurricanes, droughts, pests, and diseases, has heightened the need for targeted resilience-building efforts. With 57% of the population living within 25 miles of the coastline, where most of the nation’s infrastructure and human settlements are located, the threat posed by climate change to Belize’s coastal communities is significant.

This project aims to address these vulnerabilities by improving disaster risk management, enhancing livelihoods, and increasing awareness of climate adaptation strategies in key coastal communities. Four pilot communities have been selected based on their particular vulnerability to climate change, with potential expansion to the 27 other coastal fishing communities in Belize.

The project has three key outputs:
1. A comprehensive engagement strategy to increase the capacity of national actors and local communities in climate change adaptation and disaster risk management.
2. The development of community-based CCA and DRM plans for coastal fishing communities.
3. Educational materials aimed at improving literacy and financial management among fisherfolk, with a focus on promoting climate-resilient livelihoods.

This initiative reflects a continued commitment to advancing sustainable development and ensuring the long-term protection of Belize’s coastal zones and fisheries sector against the growing impacts of climate change.

BDF Enhances GPS Skills in Adjacency Zone with Expert Training

Officials from the Organization of American States (OAS) recently shared techniques and updates with members of the Belize Defence Force (BDF) on the use of GPS to properly perform their activities in the Adjacency Zone (AZ) at Eyles Camp. The OAS says this collaboration aims to enhance operational efficiency and ensure accurate navigation and monitoring within the zone.

The Adjacency Zone (AZ) is a buffer area established to prevent conflicts between Belize and Guatemala, who have a long-standing territorial dispute. This dispute dates back to the 19th century, with Guatemala claiming parts of Belize based on historical treaties with Spain.

In 2008, both countries agreed to refer the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a final resolution. The ICJ is a principal judicial organ of the United Nations, responsible for settling legal disputes between states and giving advisory opinions on international legal issues.

The OAS has been instrumental in maintaining peace and fostering cooperation in the AZ. The OAS Office in the AZ oversees confidence-building measures, monitors incidents, and promotes community integration and cooperation. This ongoing effort helps to ensure stability and peaceful coexistence in the region.

Belize Grants Permanent Residency to Asylum-Seekers in Historic Amnesty Ceremony

Seven asylum-seekers in Belize have been awarded Permanent Residency Cards, officially confirming their legal status in the country. The residency cards were issued during an Amnesty Ceremony on September 2 at the University of Belize Conference Center in Belmopan, Cayo District.

Prime Minister John Briceño, alongside key government and international officials, including Immigration CEO Tanya Santos, Nationality and Passports Department Director Dayna Blades, and Refugees Department Director Nikolai Zelaya, were present at the event. Also attending were Jose Samaniego, UNHCR Regional Director for the Americas, and Jose Egas, UNHCR Representative for Belize and other regional countries.

The Belize Amnesty Programme, which concluded its registration phase in March 2023, offers asylum-seekers and irregular migrants a path to permanent residency. Over 12,765 applications were submitted, including 737 from asylum-seekers. So far, nearly 400 asylum-seekers have been granted permanent residency cards, with the government working to finalize more approvals.

“UNHCR commends Belize for its leadership in providing durable solutions to forced displacement,” said UNHCR’s Samaniego. “With permanent residency, asylum-seekers can now fully integrate into Belizean society.”

UNHCR has supported Belize’s efforts to assist refugees and asylum-seekers since the 1980s. This recent amnesty is a major milestone in securing the rights and safety of vulnerable populations. During their four-day visit, UNHCR officials are scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister and other high-level officials, as well as refugee organizations and UN partners.

Asteroid Disintegrates in Spectacular ‘Fireball’ Over the Philippines

An asteroid, identified as 2024 RW1, safely disintegrated in the Earth’s atmosphere, producing a brilliant “fireball” over the Philippines, NASA confirmed. The small asteroid, about 1 meter (3 feet) wide, was detected by astronomers in Arizona just hours before it broke apart over the western Pacific Ocean near Luzon Island at approximately 16:46 GMT on Wednesday.

This marks only the ninth time an asteroid has been spotted prior to its impact, according to the European Space Agency (ESA). Although asteroids of this size enter Earth’s atmosphere around twice a month, they rarely pose any danger as they typically burn up upon entry.

NASA’s Asteroid Watch had predicted that the impact could result in a visible fireball, leading residents on the east coast of the Philippines to capture and share images of the event on social media.

NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office reported that multiple sensors confirmed the asteroid’s safe breakup. According to the *New Scientist*, the asteroid entered the atmosphere at a speed of 17.6 kilometers (10.9 miles) per second, equivalent to 63,360 kilometers (39,370 miles) per hour.

Alan Fitzsimmons, a professor of asteroid and comet science at Queen’s University Belfast, explained that while such speeds are typical for space rocks, they don’t leave time for the dramatic escapes often portrayed in movies. “You wouldn’t have time to run out and jump into your car,” he said.

The ESA reiterated that while small asteroids like 2024 RW1 are rarely detected before impact, larger asteroids—those capable of causing widespread damage—are much less common. Over 90 percent of these large space rocks have been identified, with none currently posing a threat to Earth.