November 22, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

NEMO Deploys Teams to Assist Flood Victims

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has deployed teams and resources across Belize to assist those impacted by recent weather events. In its statement on Thursday, the organisation said it is working closely with the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to monitor weather and flood conditions.

“NEMO continues to closely monitor daily weather forecasts and flood conditions in collaboration with the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services of Belize,” the agency stated.

The Belize Defence Force (BDF) and Belize Coast Guard (BCG) have already assisted residents in Flowers Bank and Rancho Dolores with transportation. Regional teams in Cayo and Belmopan are actively assessing flood-affected areas and providing humanitarian aid.

“NEMO assures the public that efforts will continue until all affected communities have been reached,” the update stated.

Flood Warnings Issued as Water Levels Rise in Multiple Regions

Tracy Panton Announces Shadow Cabinet

Albert Area Representative Tracy Panton has unveiled a “newly reconstituted Shadow Cabinet” for the United Democratic Party. Panton, in a press release, said she convened its inaugural meeting on Wednesday.

“This body is tasked with critically examining the policies and actions of the Government, ensuring accountability, and presenting alternative solutions and recommendations where necessary.”

Panton says she is the interim leader of the UDP following a convention at CIVIC where delegates voted to recall Moses “Shyne” Barrow. Meanwhile, Barrow says he remains leader of the UDP.

Panton says that Shadow Cabinet members have been appointed to correspond with the Ministries that form Belize’s Executive Government. “Each member of the Shadow Cabinet has pledged to closely monitor the policies and initiatives undertaken by their respective government Ministries to safeguard the interests and well-being of all Belizeans.”

According to Panton, the Shadow Cabinet will convene weekly to review government actions and develop their policy responses. Additionally, they will host quarterly press briefings to engage the public, offering updates and analyses of government decisions and fostering greater transparency and public involvement.

COP29 Negotiations Hit Overtime on Final Day

It’s officially the last day of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and the frustration has grown to new levels. The UN reported that on the final day, negotiators received a new draft proposal aimed at tackling climate change financing. The deal suggests rich countries should commit $250 billion annually to help vulnerable nations deal with climate impacts and transition to renewable energy. It sets a broader goal of reaching $1.3 trillion per year by 2035, but crucial details about how the money will be raised remain unclear.

“This is disappointing at the very least,” said Namrata Chowdhary from 350.org, expressing frustration at the lack of concrete solutions. Many developing nations and environmental groups are critical of the deal, with Lidy Nacpil of the Asian Peoples’ Movement warning that climate finance should not be in the form of loans, as it increases debt burdens.

Civil society groups have called the proposal a “slap in the face,” while others like Jacobo Ocharan from the Climate Action Network urged negotiators to continue pushing for a better deal.

Sindra Sharma from the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network, an activist coalition, expressed “a complete sense of frustration” at the talks. “I’ve never seen a presidency like this, I’ve never seen a process like this,” she said.

The goal of COP29 is to establish a new global climate finance target known as the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) to replace the expiring $100 billion annual goal. The draft outlines a funding target ranging between $1 trillion and $1.3 trillion per year to help vulnerable nations adapt to climate change. However, the specifics of how to achieve this target remain unresolved, with divisions between developed countries and emerging economies, including China, over the role of private investment and which nations should contribute.

Azerbaijan, the host country, has been under pressure to mediate the talks and provide a balanced proposal. With negotiations running into overtime, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that “failure is not an option” and urged all parties to compromise. The outcome of these crucial talks will shape future climate action and determine the support available for nations like Belize that are most at risk from climate change.

Kidnapping Survivor Still Needs Your Help; Attacker On The Run

It has been six days since Sabela Brakeman endured a harrowing ordeal at her San Pedro home, where she was brutally attacked and kidnapped by her estranged husband, Kenny Brakeman. Sabela, who had left Kenny due to domestic violence, was living with a roommate and shared custody of their three children, aged 11, 9, and 4. Around 1 a.m. on Saturday, Kenny allegedly broke into her home, assaulted her, and forced her onto a jet ski. Sabela managed to escape near Caye Caulker by jumping into the sea and swimming to safety. Despite identifying Kenny as her attacker, he remains on the run, with police actively searching for him.

Sabela’s injuries are severe. She suffered a broken cheekbone, damaged teeth, and other injuries requiring urgent surgical and dental care. She has since relocated with her children out of fear for their safety and is now appealing for assistance to cover her medical needs and begin rebuilding her life.

Sabela has received some help from concerned individuals but remains in urgent need of more support. She shared that she is struggling to eat due to her injuries and has yet to begin formal treatment for her broken nose and damaged gums. Her sister has been cleaning her wounds, and she relies on medication from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.

For those seeking to help Sabela, she can be reached at 665-5083.

Speaking with News Five, Sabela recounted the terrifying events. “All I wish is to get him a message: let him turn himself in,” she said, adding that she would not deny their children the right to see their father if that is his fear.

Manhunt for Accused Kidnapper

16 Days of Activism of #NoExcuse Against Gender-Based Violence

Belize is joining the global community in observing the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, marking important dates such as the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women (November 25), World AIDS Day (December 1), and Human Rights Day (December 10). This year’s theme is #NoExcuse, calling for action to eliminate gender-based violence.

The Ministry of Human Development Families and Indigenous People’s Affairs, alongside the National Women’s Commission (NWC), is hosting a parade today, November 22, at 10 in the morning. The event will start at Regent Street, continue along Albert Street, and end at the House of Culture. The event will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend directly from the NWC’s Facebook platform.

The 16 Days of Activism, which began in 1991, is now in its 33rd year and involves a wide range of organisations, both governmental and non-governmental, as well as the private sector and individuals focused on addressing gender-based violence.

Putin Escalates Threats Over Western Support for Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has intensified warnings to countries supplying Ukraine with weapons used against Russian territory. He declared that Moscow reserves the right to target military assets in those nations, marking a significant escalation in rhetoric as the war drags on.

The warning came shortly after Russia launched a medium-range ballistic missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday. The missile, believed to carry multiple warheads, was reportedly used in combat for the first time. Experts see this as a worrying development in the ongoing conflict. Putin also claimed that Ukraine’s use of missiles from the US, UK, and France to target Russian territory had turned the regional war into “a global nature.”

The Kremlin defended the missile strike, calling it a response to “reckless decisions” by Western countries to arm Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that supplying weapons to Ukraine and aiding strikes on Russian territory would not go unanswered. Moscow’s actions, he said, were necessary to counter these perceived threats.

Russia’s relationship with North Korea has also deepened, raising alarms globally. According to South Korea’s national security adviser, Moscow has supplied North Korea with air-defence systems and anti-air missiles in exchange for troops to bolster Russia’s forces. Reports suggest that over a million barrels of oil have been shipped from Russia to North Korea since March, likely violating UN sanctions. Satellite imagery analysis indicates that approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russia’s Kursk region.

The UK has reaffirmed its readiness to confront Russia if the conflict expands. Rob Magowan, deputy chief of the British defence staff, emphasised that Britain’s armed forces could respond immediately if Russia invaded another Eastern European nation. “If the British Army was asked to fight tonight, it would fight tonight,” he told a parliamentary committee on Thursday.

Ukraine’s parliament cancelled its Friday session due to fears of missile strikes.

Meanwhile, China has called for calm following the escalation. Beijing urged all parties to exercise restraint and focus on dialogue to de-escalate tensions. The Chinese foreign ministry reiterated its public position that the crisis should be resolved politically to avoid further escalation. However, NATO has previously accused China of indirectly enabling Russia’s war by exporting dual-use goods to bolster its defence sector, a claim Beijing denies.