Environment - Channel 5 Belize

Classes Resume in SP Columbia; Wildfires Threaten Properties Near River

It’s been over a week since brush fires in San Pedro, Columbia have been burning. While many of them have been extinguished, other fires have started and are consuming large tracts of land, including farmlands, that the Maya community relies on as a means of survival. We’ve heard about the losses suffered by over seventy percent of the farmers in that one village. NEMO has been able to help, but classes were suspended. The fires spread across to other villages as well, a vast area of which lie in the Toledo West constituency. And while Area Representative Oscar Requena and the Minister of Disaster Risk Management, Andre Perez had toured the area when the initial fires had burned out, since then there have been bigger fires burning. At this time, all that is known for sure is that the losses are tremendous, but how much exactly will be realized in the coming days when the final assessments are concluded. News Five’s Marion Ali reports bring you the details in this week’s edition of our Five Point Breakdown.

Marion Ali, Reporting

The National Emergency Management Organization, NEMO, had mobilized its district emergency office last week when it became evident that the farmers were going to lose their crops and that evacuations would be necessary. Since then, preliminary assessments have been conducted and some assistance has been given to the farmers and their families.

A Call for Help

The fires reignited overnight and by this morning, had reached a property at the edge of the Columbia River. Christopher Nesbitt told News Five that he was feverishly fighting a blaze that had put his house in direct jeopardy. Nesbitt turned to Facebook to seek manpower to fight the inferno.

Via phone: Christopher Nesbitt, Property Owner, San Pedro Columbia

“I’m freaking out because I’m watching everything burn and we have people in the bush. We’re getting them out of the bush to get back to the house. It snuck around behind us, so we didn’t have enough men to keep the line long enough to close the line between here and the river. So it came around behind us, so all our work is undone and we have to run back and retreat and try to save the farm. We have some people from San Miguel and some people from San Pedro Columbia right here helping, but this is a big fire and we need more help.”

Aerial Assistance is Now Necessary

Out west in the Mountain Pine Ridge, the fires in that area are being subdued by aerial firefighting efforts, with the assistance of a hired chopper from Astrum Helicopters. But down south, the fires have gotten so unmanageable in the denser areas that Toledo West Area Representative Oscar Requena says this is the level of firefighting that is now needed to fight the blazes that have destroyed huge portions of his constituency.

Via phone: Oscar Requena, Area Representative, Toledo West

“There is urgent need for air support to alter fires, Marion. There is urgent need for air support. A lot of these fires are in long distance and it is inaccessible, so the only way to support our farmers is for air support.”

Classes Resume, but Visibility Still Poor

And while the fires have drifted further into San Pedro, Columbia, today classes resume after a two-day suspension caused by the poor visibility and air quality. Chairman Basilicas Choco has been fighting the fires since last week and into last night. Choco, also a teacher, returned to the classroom today.

Via phone: Basilicas Choco, Chairman, San Pedro Columbia Village, Toledo

“They opened it today. I was a bit not happy about it because of the fact that we’re still out like myself. I was out last night till one o’clock this morning and then have to return back to school this morning. The smoke is still in the air. You can still scent it. It’s not that bad right now, but it’s you can still smell that air and it’s foggy.”

NEMO Assistance Will be An Ongoing Operation

NEMO dispatched a team of BDF soldiers and TIDE has joined the effort to help. NEMO Coordinator, Daniel Mendez said the work will continue as they assess new damages.

Daniel Mendez, Coordinator, NEMO

“These fires have been affecting a huge part of the Toledo District, so those assessments are being done right now. We have teams on the ground trying to get a better idea of what happened. So we’re preparing an initial situation overview to really understand the scope and the magnitude of last week’s event. We also understand as well that there still remain pockets of fire around the district. We continue to track those and we continue to send out support to the villages that are being affected.”

How Much Was Actually Lost in the Wildfires?

The question remains: how much was lost in the wildfires in the Toledo District? Minister Requena shared a projection.

Via phone: Oscar Requena

“Our government is working diligently to establish a first-time knowledge and understanding of what the situation like is, what the situation is like on the ground, and how the government is going to address it for the long term.”

Marion Ali

“All right, but we can simply say millions and millions of dollars was lost?”

Via phone: Oscar Requena

“Absolutely, I can say with confidence that we have lost millions of dollars.”

The exact figures of the losses will become clearer when all the assessments are concluded on the affected farms – farms that are even burning now as we bring this story to you tonight.

Marion Ali for News Five.

Generations of Change: Climate Perspectives and Justice in Belize

Our Earth has witnessed generations coming and going. Although the lifestyles between generations vary greatly, we all face a common threat: climate change. Each generation has its own perspective on climate change and its ideas about what should be done to achieve climate justice. These ideas range from the simple change in weather patterns to more profound impacts.

I had the opportunity to interview different generations of Belizeans and foreign nationals living in Belize to gain an understanding of how climate change has impacted their lives, their understandings of climate justice, and their recommendations for fostering climate justice within the Belizean community. The meaning of climate change also varies from person to person. Some might think of climate change as merely a change in weather patterns. Others, such as Dr. Kasthuri Henry, see climate change as “the effect of the cancer known as humankind on our Earth.”

A common denominator among these generations is the threat climate change poses to different aspects of their lives. Each interviewee—a high school student, a parent and market vendor, a community empowerment advocate in their 50s, and an elderly person—all see significant changes in weather patterns and increased heat.

The rising temperatures in Belize are nothing new. Dorothy Jean Wade, a resident of Corozal, stated during her interview that over her eighty-nine years of life in Belize, she has seen how the country has become drier. She specifically noted that in the late weeks of May and early June, which she remembers as being rainy in her youth, there is now a lack of rain.

She directly links this to the decreased abundance of crops in Belize. As the daughter of a farmer, she remembers her house being filled to the ceiling with fruit. However, in recent years, she has seen trees in the surrounding villages of Corozal withering away due to lack of rain. The lack of rain and rising heat, she believes, contribute to rising crop prices. Her biggest concern is not just the heat but also the impact that the high cost of fruits and vegetables has on the younger generation. With increased prices, crops become less accessible to the public, which in turn impacts the nutrition of children in families.

*Corozal Farmer’s Market Source: Corozal Live*

Today’s youth have similar concerns about their future. J.W., a high school student at Sacred Heart College, expressed serious concerns about her future. Her concerns stem from the fact that she has no idea what climate justice is, which she sees as an injustice. Her understanding of climate change is the changing weather patterns that affect the Earth’s inhabitants.

As our climate is changing, so should our people and our education systems. Youths wish for more climate-related topics to be included in their curriculum. In Belize, students are among the most affected by the heat waves over the past weeks. Due to poor infrastructural design of buildings, students at Sacred Heart College are pursuing their education in classrooms that can be compared to ovens.

This has affected students’ health both physically and mentally, causing rashes, anxiety, and increased stress. Students are so focused on finding ways to cope with the heat that they cannot concentrate on their lessons. In addition, due to the unbearable heat, teachers are often forced to give free periods, which delays students’ education. Both teachers and students are frustrated by the heat, which strains student-teacher interactions.

J.W. is concerned about how this hindrance to their education will affect their future career opportunities. Adaptation strategies need to be implemented nationwide to ensure that students receive the education they deserve. Most importantly, she encourages students to speak up about their right to an education in a comfortable setting. We should voice our concerns and work on solutions together.

Of course, as a society, it is no single nation’s fault or one person’s duty to combat the effects of climate change on crops and education. Dr. Henry touches on the topic of taking accountability and responsibility toward the environment. We must all consider ourselves caretakers of the Earth. Dr. Henry works in rural communities, teaching children about gardening, pickling, bottling, and integrating these skills into family life. She believes in promoting a connection with nature and understanding its wealth through hands-on learning and sustainability practices.

Recycling plastic to make Christmas ornaments – an initiative with Dr. Kasthuri Henry, the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management and Minister Orlando Habet’s Team.

The term “climate justice” exists because we have been using resources unjustly. To move toward a more equal society, we need to break the cycles of neglect that have been placed on our environment, with an emphasis on teaching youth, supporting teachers, and empowering creative problem solvers. Apart from showing up, we must be consistent and persevere when faced with resistance.

Emotional Intelligence – Summer Youth Leadership Camp at St. Ignatius High School

The perspectives on climate change and climate justice from various generations in Belize underscore the urgent need for collective action and education. It is evident that climate change is not just an environmental issue but a social and economic one that impacts food security, health and education. By fostering a deeper connection with nature, promoting sustainable practice and integrating climate education into our curricula we can empower the next generation to take informed and effective action. Together, we can create a more just and sustainable future for Belize and beyond.

by Anwar Wade

This story was published with the support of the Caribbean Climate Justice Journalism Fellowship, which is a joint venture of Climate Tracker and Open Society Foundations.

Birds and Monkeys Dying from Severe Heatwave

Across the region, people have been suffering from the effects of a severe heatwave. The extreme weather conditions have led to exhaustion and dehydration, as well losses in agriculture, as brush fires are made worse by the rising temperatures. Also forced to cope with these conditions are the thousands of animals that occupy the affected areas. In recent weeks, Mexico’s southeastern tropical forest has observed the sudden deaths of monkeys, parrots and toucans as they succumb to the soaring temperatures. As Belize has also been experiencing record high weather conditions the question of how the extreme heat has been affecting our native species is being raised. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with those answers.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Across the region, birds and monkeys are dying at an alarming rate. Every year, as temperatures rise, wildlife conservationists have worked to combat the effects on animals. However, as this year continues to see severe weather conditions, they have had to double their efforts. Jamal Andrewin-Bohn, Conservation Program Manager at the Belize Zoo, gave us some insight into the issue.

On the phone: Jamal Andrewin-Bohn, Conservation Program Manager, Belize Zoo

“Typically we, obviously we’ve been in a position where we’ve had to respond to animals in distress for a variety of environmental, risks of disaster and heat and fire are among those. So yes, we do get reports of animals seeming to be disoriented dehydrated, exhausted from exposed, prolonged exposure to heat and also lack of access to water simply because the natural ponds and creeks that they would typically access do eventually dry up in the winter. in the peak of the dry season and so they have to move further afield looking for water looking for food sources and of course this itself is a pressure on the animals but then it also puts them at a higher chance of encountering humans and coming into conflict with human.”

He said that mammals and birds are some of the most affected animals, but reptiles such as iguanas and snakes have reacted poorly to the heat as well, as they struggle to regulate their body temperature. Nikki Buxton, Executive Director of Belize Bird Rescue, told us how birds are coping with the heat.

Nikki Buxton, Executive, Belize Bird Rescue

“I think they’re probably all struggling, but the beauty of birds is that they can fly and they can get away from these situations, which definitely gives them an edge over every other species that’s not flighted. And the migrants are struggling. I think they’re totally confused as to when they should migrate. And what they’re migrating into and what they travel through at that time as well. And it’s not, you know, we’re talking about fires, but it’s not just that there’s extreme weather all year round, and they encounter a lot of that during the migration patterns. But the birds that make Belize their home and the ones that rely on certain environments and have niche environments, they’re the ones that are going to suffer the most.”

Buxton said that due to the recent fires, the air quality has been especially poor for birds, affecting where they choose to build their nests. She said that there are limited resources to combat fires and that the addition of fire beaters and hoses would assist the fire service in making fires more preventable. Andrewin-Bohn says that the team at the Belize Zoo has been hard at work trying to aid the animals in beating the heat.

On the phone: Jamal Andrewin-Bohn

“So this is not new. This is over several decades where we’ve been advocating for a more mindful application of fire and utilization of resources. And so what we have done the zoo as an entity with its partners, and that’s one of the biggest. Efforts we’ve taken on to address this is we have for the last We have been part of a working group that specifically deals with fire management issues in central Belize. And it is a coalition of not just non-governmental entities, but with input and support from the Belize Forest Department. But most importantly, from communities within our area, communities that are in fire prone areas like the savannah, that have to deal with wildfires threatening their homes, their properties, their livelihoods, their health and wellbeing until it’s a collective effort to reduce the impact of fires.”

He explained that the zoo has taken additional measures to ensure that the animals survive the heatwave, such as the addition of a new pond and trucking in over two thousand gallons of water daily. Buxton said that we should try to assist the animals in any way possible.

Nikki Buxton

“I think we’ve got to think of the birds and the animals in the same way as we think of other selves. We know that that heat drives thirst. The moisture that we have in our bodies evaporates so much faster. So it would be really nice if people could think about other species on this planet and maybe provide a water source for them. We’ve got some really amazing families that are putting out drinking bottles that they’ve created from old plastic bottles, which is absolutely fantastic and also think about the domestic animals that we have. It’s not enough now just to tie a dog with a little bottle of water in this, in this temperature, we need to make sure that they have a lot like a bucket full. So I think we’ve got to be more thoughtful”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Wildfires Destroy Cadenas Outpost; Displace Several Families in Toledo

We begin tonight with the significant losses that the recent wildfires have caused to several Maya farmers in southern Belize. In San Pedro Columbia, around one hundred farmers have lost their entire farms, taking away from them the only means of survival they depended on. The fires spread to other Maya communities, doing much of the same damage to farms and rainforest in those villages. Last week, there were wildfires that were being closely monitored in Crique Jute, Mafredi and San Antonio. Another that threatened the Cadenas outpost near the Sarstoon got so grim by Friday, that the smoke in the area made it difficult for the soldiers posted at the outpost to see and breathe. Despite all efforts to save the facility, it was consumed by the flames over the weekend. While that was happening in those areas, Ministry of Disaster Risk Management, NEMO, the B.D.F., the Ya’axché Conservation Trust and Toledo Institute for Development and Environment teams were out fighting fires in other communities in Toledo. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.

Marion Ali, Reporting

The fires that swept through several communities in the Toledo District have left significant losses in their wake. The fires became a threat to the communities from as early as last weekend when they threatened farms in several Maya villages, starting from San Pedro, Columbia. By the end of the week, the Cadenas Outpost near Graham Creek had also been consumed by the fires. Deputy Commander of the Belize Defence Force, Colonel Anthony Velasquez said the soldiers had to abandon the post.

Via phone: Col. Anthony Velasquez, Deputy Commander, Belize Defence Force

“We sent air reconnaissance in the area, and about Thursday, the intense smoke forced us to evacuate our soldiers from the, from Cadenas. So they took all they could with them, all movable equipment, and they evacuated to the Sarstoon F.O.B. However, they did daily patrols back to the Sarstoon area and attempted to remove other items as well. On Saturday, they returned and everything was in order, and Sunday, when they returned again the outpost was burned because of the intense wildfires.”

Chairman of San Pedro, Columbia, Basilicas Choco told us today that the teams were able to suppress the fires over the weekend, but that many of the farmers had been affected by the flames.

Basilicas Choco, Chairman, San Pedro Columbia Village, Toledo

“I would say it’s more than more than 70 percent of our farmers have been affected. I don’t think we have any severe homes that are burnt. It’s just like camps that farmers usually make on their farms that store corns, other things that they have stored here, those are the buildings that are burnt down. Cacao is one of the major crops that has been destroyed, I would say about – the majority – more than 50 farmers that have cacao fields. We have farmers losing their corn, as they said. We have farmers losing other fruit trees, coconut trees, other fruit trees that they have, especially the farmers that are that live on their farm.

TIDE’s Terrestrial Manager, Mario Muschamp, said the NGO played a huge part in saving other villages from coming under threat.

Mario Muschamp, Terrestrial Manager, TIDE

“We got a call actually from the folks at Ya’axché Conservation Trust last week Tuesday afternoon, pertaining to a fire that was along the highway next to the Golden Stream Corridor Preserve Field Station. They felt that the station was threatened by this fire. And so we were called to assist them with suppressing that fire. When we got there most of the rangers from had Ya’axché had already controlled that fire. We received a call from rangers that were on patrol into the Golden Stream Corridor Reserve on the boundary line with the Columbia River Forest Reserve. They were saying that there was a fire back in there, and based on information we got from them, that fire was in there already for a couple of days. What we found was happening is there were these rocks were actually rolling down the hills, huge boulders, so it was a little scary for us, but we were able to put fire breaks around those hills to ensure that fire, those fires didn’t come down those hills and then spread off into the forest.”

NEMO spearheaded the effort to suppress the fires, evacuate villagers and has already begun assessments of the losses. Area Representative for Toledo West, Oscar Requena, toured the affected areas along with Minister of Disaster Risk Management, Andre Perez. The images shared from that tour show extensive damage to the terrain and parched trees where lush greenery once existed. NEMO Coordinator, Daniel Mendez told News Five that as soon as they got the information of how grave the situation was, they mobilized the District Emergency Management Organization.

Daniel Mendez, Coordinator, NEMO

“We were able to get aerial reconnaissance to really understand the magnitude of the fires. And then we started to provide support, immediate support to the communities that were being affected. There was an on the ground reconnaissance by Honorable Andre Paris, who was the Minister of Blue Economy and Disaster Reduction alongside the ever representative Honorable Oscar Requena. And based on that, it was determined that the impact was very severe, and it will require a significant amount in terms of the recovery of these areas.”

Classes in the affected villages were suspended until further notice, as assessment teams continue to monitor the smoke and visibility in those areas. Part of the operation, Mendez said involved a few search and rescue missions and placing a shelter in Crique Jute Village. While the BDF put the loss of the facility to around eighty thousand dollars and say that it will take a few weeks to replace the outpost in that southernmost area of Belize, Col. Velasquez assures that Belize’s sovereignty will not be compromised by this loss.

Via phone: Col. Anthony Velasquez

“Because it has burned doesn’t mean that we will be absent from the area. Our soldiers will remain in the area and we’ll do constant patrols as well from the Sarasota F.O.B to the area until repairs has been done.”

Muschamp warns that the hot weather conditions are a recipe for fire disasters and discourages people entering the forests from lighting fires.

Mario Muschamp

“We have been trying to tell people that during this time of the year, do not use fire because it’s harder to control, and there’s a high chance that you’ll escape. And then when you escape, you don’t know where it’s going to go, what damage it will cause. I think it’s high time now that as a country we start to promote the wise use of fires and address the laws that deals with fire. We currently have a National Wildland Fire Management Policy and Strategy sitting on a shelf that had it been put to use, we could have alleviated a lot of these problems that we’re seeing.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

MIDH Official Says Their Equipment Are Available to Fight Wildfires

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing was also called upon to assist in the firefighting efforts but Chief Engineer at the Ministry, Evondale Moody said they were not able last week because of the location where their heavy-duty equipment was at the time made it impossible for them to reach the villages. But Moody said that they are able to dispatch the equipment if necessary, this week to assist.

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH

“Last week we were in touch with NEMO as well and they had requested the assistance of MIDH to provide water trucks and also heavy equipment such as backhoes and excavators to assist them in dealing with the wildfires down south. However, because we were working in the Bella Vista area we were not able to provide that support. However, this week we expect to provide that support to them as best as we can.”

The equipment might very well be needed because late this evening, Chairman of San Pedro Columbia Village, Basilicas Choco told News Five that the fires that were suppressed and weren’t any longer a threat were again raging in the village. We’ll follow up on this story on Tuesday.

Second Hottest Day in Belize’s History According to Preliminary Data

Preliminary data indicate that today was the second hottest day in the country’s history. Belize’s hottest day was recorded in 1976 at one hundred- and ten-degrees Fahrenheit. That was recorded in Belmopan. A National Meteorological Service field station in Chaa Creek has reported temperatures as high as one hundred and eight degrees today, two degrees Fahrenheit shy of the record. But apart from the numbers, there is no denying that it has been unbearably hot over the last two to three weeks. Chief Meteorological Officer Ronald Gordon says that partially has to do with the fact that we are in May which is the hottest month of the year in Belize.

Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorological Officer, NMS

“That coupled with favorable conditions in terms of a high-pressure ridge that is suppressing upward motion and sort of keeping us under this sinking air and as many of us would know sinking air warms up. That is contributing to the excessive hot temperatures apart from the seasonality we know that climate change is real so the extremes we have experienced before are becoming more extreme and severe and hence the reason why we are having these temperatures. This started in early May and have been going on for the last two to three weeks now. So, a very severe heat wave across the country. To make matter worst we have a lot of wildfires and bush fires, agricultural fires, with this sort of weather condition and the increase smokiness and Sarah Dust, it is the perfect combination for the sweltering unbearable condition we have been feeling for the past few weeks. We have not done a thorough analysis at this point to tell you if it is the worst heat wave ever in terms of duration. I can say one data we have or one element we have is that it has not been the hottest ever. The hottest ever recorded, as we have said before, is a hundred and ten degrees Fahrenheit and that was in Belmopan May twenty-third, 1976, and we have not reached that level of heat as yet this year and I don’t expect to get there. However, it has been comparable in some ways. We have preliminary reports from one of our weather stations in Cha Creek indicating that today may have reached a hundred- and eight-degrees Fahrenheit which is two degrees Fahrenheit less than all-time high for the country.”

When Will Belize Experience Relief from Heat Wave?

With the unbearable temperatures that Belizeans have been experiencing, the question on everybody’s mind is, when will we receive some relief? The good news is that temperatures are expected to be a bit cooler on Sunday. And according to the Chief Meteorological Officer, rains are forecasted for the early parts of June.

Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorological Office, NMS

“Let me first go to the short term forecast and I can say that tomorrow is not going to be any big relief, so it is not going to be any significantly cooler than today. So, it is still going to be hot tomorrow. But indications are that on Sunday, on Sunday because our winds are going to shift more to the east rather than the southeast, we are going to be a bit cooler than today, Friday and even tomorrow. So Sunday we should see some sort of relief from the excessive heat. It will still be hot because we are in the tropics, and it is May, and we are in Belize. But it is not going to be as severe heat as we saw today and tomorrow. So, the peak of this heat wave we are on it right now. Today is the peak. In terms of the long-term projections, caution your viewers that long term forecast carries a lot of uncertainty. We know that climatology speaking, late May, early June we do get the initial rains and I was looking at the model forecast going to two weeks which again I repeat have a lot of uncertainty. But there appears to be a slight shift. We see a lot of moisture coming in. There seems to be a little transition around the early parts of June into a wetter pattern. Of course, we need to monitor it and see if that comes through but climatology tells us that is what should occur at that time.”

The Importance of Water with Maya Mopan Primary School

March twenty-second was celebrated globally as World Water Day, but the conversation about protecting one of our most essential resources should extend beyond a single day. This year, the Public Utilities Commission invited schools across the country to participate in a poetry competition with the theme, “Water for Peace.” Primary school students showcased their talents, reciting spoken word poems that called for the protection of our water resources. One standout entry came from Maya Mopan Government Primary School. With a little over a hundred students, this school delivered a powerful message that captured our attention. Sabreena Daly traveled south to meet the students and learn about their message in this week’s Look on The Bright Side.

Sabreena Daly, Reporting

On hot days or after a day of physical activities, the body yearns for rehydration. Whether it’s ice cold or room temperature, water is a source of survival for every living thing. It’s essential for bodily functions, ecosystems, and agriculture, making its preservation crucial for future generations. Saxil Cho participated in a poetry competition and spoke about the importance of water.

Saxil Cho, Student, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“We drink it to stay strong and well. In baths and showers, we can tell. For plants and animals, it’s a live key. A precious resource for you and me.”

Cho was one of five students from Maya Mopan Government Primary School, who participated in a poetry competition organized by the Public Utilities Commision. Principal Magnolia Pop told us more.

Magnolia Pop, Principal, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“We wanted to show off the talent of our students here. Because most of the time, sometimes we feel like we are a forgotten school, you know, we are in the rural area. So I think this is the best opportunity for us to show what our students are capable of doing. And again, encouraging them in their writing, especially when it comes to poetry.”

Gia Teck emphasized the importance of protecting larger bodies of water, noting that while we enjoy water for leisure, we must also safeguard it, just as we do with smaller bodies of water.

Gia Teck, Student, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“In Belize, by the Caribbean Sea, where water flows so wild and free, children play and laugh with glee as they learn of peace and harmony. Water for Peace, a theme so grand, it teaches us to work hand in hand to protect our rivers, lakes, and sea for a future where peace will always be.”

Stephanie Thomas, Teacher, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“They were talking about how important it is for them to keep the water clean. The use of water. For example, for it to water the plants. For them not to waste water. Those were some of the things that they included in their poem.”

Anya Pop, Student, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“It’s about what’s happening on Earth and in Belize. There’s violence coming into the world, and that is how we pollute the water. It is violating the water with pollution and littering the water. And if it starts with us taking action to stop littering, and by bringing that action, it will bring it to the world, and we will have peace, like water.”

Enola Boucher, Student, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“In Belize where the water flows, bringing peace to hearts aglow. From the Caribbean sea so wide, the caves where secrets hide. Blue hole deep, mysterious and grand. Maya mountains towering, a majestic land.”

Stephanie Thomas assisted many of the students with writing their poems. She observed that those who participated clearly understand the value of what they expressed.

Stephanie Thomas
“They did not take it for granted. One of the reasons why is because like, look at us right now. Water is needed and it’s really hot and what is keeping us active is the water. So, for them, they don’t take it lightly.”

Enola Boucher

“Well, water is part of our earth. It’s part of us as well. Water brings peace to our world. Without water, we wouldn’t be here. We wouldn’t survive. So then water is pretty much part of us, and it brings peace to our countries.”

Sabreena Daly

“So what was it like writing a poem like this to ensure that the public would know that water is peace and it’s important for us to preserve it?”

Enola Boucher

“Well, it was challenging and also interesting at the same time. I had to do some research, but I also had help from my family, my classmates, and my teacher.”

Anya Pop

“Water for peace. In rivers calm, peace finds its place. Oceans gigantic, a tranquil embrace. Each droplet speaks of unity. Let’s guard it with the greatest scrutiny. From kindness springs, let’s draw our sip, and wash away differences in its grip. Hand in hand, let’s spread the call, for water’s peace unites us all. Ki ki ha, se me ti du na, Agua Rica, nice water.”

Stephanie Thomas

“The message behind it is for us to know that as people we should unite together and to keep water, to remind ourselves that water is very important, not only us as people but for the animals, the plant and everything in Belize.”

Daijah Shol urged all Belizeans to do their part in recognizing the importance of water every day.

Daijah Shol, Student, Maya Mopan Government Primary School
“So let’s conserve and not waste. Water for peace, let’s make it a taste. Let’s share and care for every drop. In Belize, let’s make water our top. So here’s to 2024, Water Day. Let’s celebrate in a big way. Water for peace, let’s all unite. In Belize, let’s make it right.”

Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.

Worst Wildfire Residents of San Pedro Columbia Have Ever Seen

Forest fires are not uncommon at this time of the year. But reports coming out of San Pedro, Columbia are that wildfires have leveled more than fifteen hundred acres of land in the Toledo District over the last two days. These lands include an abundance of farmlands that residence cultivate to make ends meet. Area Representative Oscar Requena says he has had to join the fight over the last two days to put out fires in the community, as his property is also being affected. He says that while residents experience the destructive nature of wildfires annually, this is the worst it has ever been. Community members have been coming together to assist each other in protecting their livelihoods. But the task at hand is overwhelming and their resources are few. To add to the damage being done to farmlands, wildlife is also being lost to the inferno. Images of torched tapirs, ocelots and gibnuts have surfaced. We spoke with Requena over the phone. He told us that he believes this runaway wildfire originated from a careless farmer who left a small fire unattended.

On the Phone: Oscar Requena, Area Representative, Toledo West

“This is a very serious situation that happened in San Pedro Columbia and of course over the last few days we have witnessed fires burning in many other communities, Golden Stream, Medina Bank and Crique Hute and several other communities. This dry weather has of course severely been one of the main reasons why fires have really escalated and burn a lot of farmlands in San Pedro Columbia alone. I believe that well in excess of fifteen hundred acres of land have been destroyed, farmlands. Essentially what has happened is that people’s livelihoods have been destroyed and it is very difficult for them. I believe the source of the fire is as a result of a careless farmer who was burning and really left the fire untended. There is an urgent need to put in place these strategic plans as to how the communities being impacted are going to move forward as we prepare to mitigate the severe effects of fire. I am certain that from a community perspective we need to come together and get government agencies and NGOs to come together and develop a clear strategy as to how this is going to be dealt with because fires in the Toledo District, particularly in these areas is not something new. This has been happening quite frequently, but of course this year has been one of the worst years.”

NEMO On the Ground in Toledo to Assist Wildfire Victims

According to the Toledo West Area Representative, the National Emergency Management Organization, NEMO, has deployed personnel to the area to conduct assessments of the damage and its impact on the community. Requena is calling for a reconnaissance mission over the area so that Belizeans can get a better understanding of all that has been lost so far. Here is what he told us.

On the Phone: Oscar Requena, Area Representative, Toledo West

“What I can say is that I just spoke to the minister of NEMO and what has happened is that there has been activation on the ground and certainly here is a lot of work taking place. The first thing is to get the various agencies on the ground to conduct an assessment of what has occurred and how it is impacting the livelihoods of our people, issues associated with fires and smoke, possible health issues and really with a strategy to provide some sort of relief where possible. I want to ask that apart from just the great negative effects on the livelihoods of people it is really heart breaking to see the severe damage on the flora and fauna. You are talking about seeing tapir burnt, ocelots and gibnuts, just wildlife. It is really terrible. I want to call on the authorities to do a reconnaissance of the area and they would really, I think the nation would get a clear understanding of the damage and impact that has occurred to just lands in the Toledo District.”