2024 - Channel 5 Belize

PM Briceño Returns Early to Oversee TS Sara Preparations

Prime Minister John Briceño has returned to Belize amid growing concerns about Tropical Storm Sara.

The Prime Minister had travelled to Mexico City on Wednesday, November 13, to attend the 270th Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of COCESNA. However, with the storm’s impact on Belize, he has cut his official visit short.

Upon his return, Prime Minister Briceño is prioritising preparations for Tropical Storm Sara. He will collaborate closely with the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) to ensure the country is prepared and to coordinate response efforts in areas expected to be affected.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed and follow advisories from NEMO and other official sources.

TS Sara now poses a heightened threat to Belize, as a warning has been issued for the entire coast and all cayes within Belizean waters. As of 3:00 PM, the storm was 160 miles southeast of Belize City, moving west at 2 mph with sustained winds of 50 mph. Expected to make landfall in southern Belize early Sunday, Sara is forecast to strengthen, potentially reaching winds of 60 to 70 mph. Heavy rainfall, with totals of up to 14 inches in some areas, poses a significant flooding risk. Coastal regions may also experience storm surges of 1 to 3 feet, alongside damaging winds. Flood warnings remain for central and northern Belize, with roads in Orange Walk District already submerged. Belize is in Phase 3 – Red Two of the National Hurricane Plan, signalling an imminent storm impact.

TS Sara Threatens Belize: Entire Coast Under Warning, Flooding Expected

TS Sara Threatens Belize: Entire Coast Under Warning, Flooding Expected

A tropical storm warning has been extended to include the entire coast of Belize, along with all cayes within Belizean waters, as Tropical Storm Sara continues to approach the region.

At 3:00 PM, Tropical Storm Sara was located at latitude 16.2N and longitude 86.2W, approximately 160 miles southeast of Belize City. The storm is moving westward at a slow pace of 2 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. Sara is forecast to maintain its slow westward motion before shifting west-northwest by late Saturday.

The storm’s centre is expected to remain near the northern coast of Honduras until early Saturday and make landfall over southern Belize early Sunday. Strengthening is anticipated, with maximum sustained winds predicted to reach 60 to 70 mph upon landfall.

Heavy rainfall remains the primary threat. Accumulated rainfall of 2 to 6 inches has already been recorded since Thursday, and an additional 4 to 8 inches—locally higher in some areas—is expected through Sunday. This has led to flooding in several areas.

Winds of up to 70 mph could cause damage to structures, crops, and trees. Coastal areas near the storm’s centre may experience storm surges of 1 to 3 feet.

Flood warnings are in effect for Belize’s central and northern regions, including the Rio Hondo, Macal, Mopan, and Belize Rivers. Roads in the Orange Walk District, particularly San Roman and San Antonio, remain flooded.

Belize remains under Phase 3—Red Two of the National Hurricane Plan, with two red flags featuring black centres hoisted as signals. This phase is activated when a tropical storm or hurricane is expected to make landfall within 36 hours.

Residents, especially in southern Belize, are urged to finalise their emergency preparations. Shelters in affected areas will open as needed. The public is advised to:
– Monitor weather updates closely.
– Clear drains to minimise flooding.
– Check and update emergency supplies, including food, water, and medical essentials.
– Ensure the safety of vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and people with disabilities, and secure pets.

Mariners, businesses, and event organisers are advised to remain cautious. Small craft operators should stay in a safe harbour, and public events are to be postponed until the “All Clear” is issued.

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has activated all district emergency operations centres and continues to monitor the situation. Residents can call the NEMO hotline at 936 for updates and assistance.

NEMO reminds the public that the hurricane season is still active and stresses the importance of staying informed and prepared.

Category One Hurricane is an “Extreme Worst-Case Scenario”

Flood Warnings for Northern and Central Belize

Residents are advised to monitor waterways and exercise caution as water levels rise amid Tropical Storm Sara. In today’s flood forecast, it stated that in Region 7, on the Rio Hondo, flood levels are decreasing at Blue Creek North, Santa Cruz, San Antonio, and San Roman, but are expected to rise near Douglas to the coast. The New River at Hill Bank is seeing increasing levels, while at Caledonia, water levels are steady but remain above normal.

In Region 9, residents should be on alert as the Mopan River at Benque Viejo Town is expected to continue rising. On the Macal River, reservoir levels at the Chalillo, Mollejon, and Vaca spillways remain active, and at San Ignacio, water levels are predicted to exceed the Low-Lying Bridge. Flooding is also expected on the Belize River at More Tomorrow and Double Run, where flood stage levels will continue to rise. Additionally, on the Crooked Tree Lagoon, water levels are increasing but are expected to stay below the causeway.

Region 11 is also facing rising water levels, particularly on the Sibun River at Freetown Sibun, where above-normal levels are expected. Similarly, the Southern Lagoon at Gales Point Village is seeing persistently above-normal levels. Other rivers in southern Belize, such as the Rio Grande at San Pedro Columbia and Big Falls South and the Moho River at Blue Creek South and Jordan, are all expected to experience above-normal levels.

In Region 13, the Sarstoon River is also forecast to reach above-normal levels.

In addition to these warnings, the San Roman and San Antonio access roads have been reported to be flooded.

DFC Nominated for Accreditation to the Adaptation Fund

DFC has been nominated for accreditation to the Adaptation Fund (AF). Announced on November 12 by the Ministry of Economic Development, this nomination follows a meeting between Belize and the AF in October. Once accredited, the DFC will help mobilise grants for projects aimed at strengthening the country’s resilience to climate change, including climate-resistant housing and infrastructure protection.

“The nomination marks a crucial step in advancing Belize’s capacity to finance climate adaptation initiatives and support the resilience of communities facing the impacts of climate change,” the Ministry stated.

The Adaptation Fund, established in 2001, provides financing for projects that help vulnerable countries adapt to climate change through initiatives like improving water management, protecting coastal areas, and enhancing food security.

According to the Ministry, the accreditation process will ensure the DFC meets stringent international standards for fiduciary responsibility, transparency, and accountability. Being that Belize is ranked by the IMF as one of the world’s most vulnerable nations to climate change, particularly from hurricanes and rising sea levels, this move positions Belize to secure vital funding and strengthen its climate resilience for the future.

Miss Universe Belize: ‘She’s Representing Us All’

Miss Universe Belize: ‘She’s Representing Us All’

As Belizean beauty Halima Hoy prepares for the Miss Universe finals tomorrow, her support team is brimming with pride and hope. In an exclusive interview with News 5, Destiny Arnold, Belize’s National Director, and Halima’s husband, Arthur Hoy Jr., opened up about the journey leading up to this moment and their thoughts on the pageant so far.

Arnold shared her excitement for Halima’s performance on Thursday night and overwhelming support so far: “I am just elated with all of the support that we have been getting from our countrymen,” Arnold said. “I am so proud of Halima for continuing to fight that good fight and leaving her all on that stage.”

According to Arnold, their efforts are focused on bringing economic benefits to Belize through the Miss Universe platform. “Pageantry is not a cheap venture, and we don’t get into pageantry hoping to make money. It’s definitely a passion project, but we’re trying to change that perspective. We’re not trying to continue to allow pageantry to be a money pit,” Arnold said.

Arnold praised the Belizean national costume, which celebrated the deer dance while promoting climate change awareness. She said, “The universe public has loved this costume.” Halima’s swimsuit performance also stood out, said Arnold. “She was confident. She was graceful. That’s where she shines the most.” The evening gown, designed by Belizean designer Cesar Funez, was another highlight of the competition.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s final performance, Arnold urged Belizeans to keep supporting Halima. “I just hope that we spend our time wisely and spend our time uplifting instead of tearing down… She’s representing Belize. It’s not Halima Hoy; it’s Belize,” she stated. “We want to see her with the crown on her head.”

Belizeans are encouraged to support Halima by voting for her through the Choicely app, sharing her pictures, and leaving encouraging comments on social media. “We are the fuel that drives her when she’s on stage, so we have to keep that energy going.”

Belize High Court to Close Early Amid TS Sara Threat

In response to the impending impact of Tropical Storm Sara, the Chief Justice of Belize, Louise Blenman, announced that the Belize High Court will close its doors at 3 p.m. today, November 15.

In an official statement, the High Court stated that “this decision has been taken to ensure the safety and well-being of all court staff, jurors, attorneys, court assets, and the general public.”

Court operations are expected to resume on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., depending on the storm’s aftermath. Cases affected by the closure will be rescheduled, and new dates will be communicated shortly.

In urgent circumstances, the Senior Court will remain available to hear applications as the situation permits.

Suspected Drug Plane Found

Reports reaching News 5 are that a suspected drug plane landed sometime late last night and early this morning in the Cayo District. The plane landed near Franks Eddy. The plane’s seats had been ripped out to make space for the illegal cargo.

This is a developing story.

Drug Plane Was in Southern Belize for 3 Weeks Before Discovery

Have Your Say on the Belize Bureau of Standards’ Proposed New Food Labeling Rules

Big changes are coming to the way food is labelled in Belize. The Belize Bureau of Standards has proposed new, mandatory regulations for prepackaged foods, aiming to make labels clearer and more informative for consumers.

The Bureau said in its statement that the draft standard, Belize 1: Part 3:2024, would require nutritional facts, allergen warnings, and Spanish-language labels on all food products.

“The Belize 1: Part 3:2024 (Revised) Specification for Labelling Part 3: Labelling of Prepackaged Foods.
The standard for prepackaged foods has been revised to align with current labelling trends and in an effort to prevent fraud and deception arising from misleading labelling, as well as to provide adequate information to the consumer or user of prepackaged foods. Changes include language requirements to recognise product labels in Spanish; addition of nutritional facts declaration as a core requirement; and emphasis on allergen labelling. It is intended that all manufacturers, importers, distributors, and other entities engaged in the production or trade of pre-packaged foods in Belize shall comply with the requirements of this standard,” stated the Bureau.

The revisions seek to address growing concerns about fraud and provide Belizean manufacturers with the tools to meet regional and international market requirements. The Bureau is now inviting public comments on the proposed changes, with feedback due by December 31, 2024.

$3M Global Fund Grant Secured to Combat HIV, TB, and Malaria in Belize

The Ministry of Economic Development (MED) has been officially designated as the Principal Recipient of the Global Fund Cycle 7 grant, securing over $3 million to tackle HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. This funding will support national health initiatives from 2025 to 2027. According to a statement issued by the government of Belize, the funding is expected to enhance both public health outcomes and economic growth in Belize.

“The Ministry of Economic Development stands poised to harness the resources from the Global Fund to bolster national health initiatives significantly,” said Carlos Pol, Acting CEO of MED. “This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the collaboration of key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the National AIDS Commission, and others.”

The grant approval follows a thorough capacity assessment by MED, which has already finalised all key project documents, including the Implementation Map, Budget, and Performance Framework. The project is expected to launch in January 2025.

Southern Belize Women and Girls Complete Training in Vanilla Cultivation

Women and girls in southern Belize opened a new chapter in Belize’s agricultural industry with the successful completion of a specialised vanilla cultivation training program and the inauguration of the first school-based vanilla nursery.

The nursery, now planted with 100 cuttings from mother plants native to the region, is the first step toward boosting the country’s vanilla bean supply and creating new economic opportunities, especially for women. GOB stated in a press release announcing the nursery’s inauguration, “We foresee a promising future for this new sector in vanilla production.”

This initiative was a collaborative effort between the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Investment, the National Women’s Commission (NWC), the Taiwan Technical Mission, and local partners.