2024-08-11 - Channel 5 Belize

Belize Indigenous Groups Demand Climate Action on Indigenous Peoples Day

On International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, August 9, 2024, the Toledo Alcaldes Association and the Julian Cho Society have highlighted the resilience and contributions of Belize’s Indigenous communities. This year’s observance focuses on the Maya Q’eqchi, Mopan, Yucatec, and Garifuna Peoples, along with their organisations under the Belize National Indigenous Council (BENIC).

An official statement addressed the severe impacts of climate change on Indigenous communities in southern Belize. Recent forest fires in the Toledo and Cayo Districts, resulting in $8.4 million in damages, have disproportionately affected the Maya communities, despite their minimal contribution to climate change.

The Julian Cho Society and the Toledo Alcaldes Association launched a comprehensive relief initiative, which includes distributing 78,500 pounds of food, planting materials, and rebuilding three homes destroyed by the fires.

The organisations call for continued collaboration from the Government of Belize, civil society, and other stakeholders to support Indigenous communities effectively. They advocate for adherence to international standards, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), to ensure no one is left behind.

CEPI and WHO Urge Expanded Research to Prepare for Future Pandemics

In a major call to action, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have urged global researchers and governments to broaden their research strategies in preparation of a possible next pandemic. The organizations, addressing the Global Pandemic Preparedness Summit 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, highlighted the need for a more inclusive research approach that not only targets individual high-risk pathogens but also explores entire families of pathogens that could potentially infect humans.

The new strategy, as outlined in the WHO R&D Blueprint for Epidemics report, emphasizes using prototype pathogens as a basis for developing comprehensive knowledge about various pathogen families. This approach aims to enhance global preparedness by creating broadly applicable tools and countermeasures that can be swiftly adapted to emerging threats. The report also stresses the importance of improving surveillance and research to better understand pathogen transmission, human infection mechanisms, and immune responses.

Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, emphasized the significance of this updated framework saying, ““WHO’s scientific framework for epidemic and pandemic research preparedness is a vital shift in how the world approaches countermeasure development, and one that is strongly supported by CEPI. As presented at the Global Pandemic Preparedness Summit 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this framework will help steer and coordinate research into entire pathogen families, a strategy that aims to bolster the world’s ability to swiftly respond to unforeseen variants, emerging pathogens, zoonotic spillover, and unknown threats referred to as pathogen X.”

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the need for a united global effort, stating, “History teaches us that the next pandemic is a matter of when, not if. It also teaches us the importance of science and political resolve in blunting its impact.” He called for increased scientific and political resolve to tackle the impending threat, advocating for the establishment of Collaborative Open Research Consortiums (CORCs) to facilitate global research collaboration. These CORCs will focus on each pathogen family and involve researchers, developers, and funders worldwide, particularly from regions where these pathogens are likely to emerge.

Pakistani National Charged in Foiled Plot Against Trump and U.S. Officials

A Pakistani national with alleged links to Iran has been charged in connection with a plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump and other public officials, according to a federal complaint unsealed Tuesday in Brooklyn. Asif Merchant, 46, was arrested on July 12, one day before Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The complaint reveals that Merchant, who had traveled from Pakistan after spending time in Iran, sought to hire hitmen to execute the plan.

Merchant reportedly engaged a confidential FBI informant, believing the person to be a potential accomplice. The FBI subsequently foiled the plot, arresting Merchant before he could carry out the murders or leave the country. Merchant faces charges of murder for hire.

The Justice Department has emphasized its commitment to countering threats from Iran, following heightened concerns over potential retaliation for the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Merchant allegedly sought around 25 individuals to stage a protest as a distraction and arranged to pay $5,000 as an advance on the planned assassinations, reports CNN.

Acting Assistant Director Christie Curtis praised the FBI’s efforts in preventing what could have been a devastating attack, while Attorney General Merrick Garland reaffirmed the U.S. government’s resolve to protect its officials from international threats.