When disasters strike in Belize, the full picture of their impact on people, livelihoods, infrastructure, and the environment can be difficult to capture. Recognizing this challenge, national institutions came together to explore how quality data, accompanied by better data governance, shared standards, and coordination, could help the country more consistently record hazardous events and their associated losses and damages. The National Workshop on the DELTA Resilience Disaster and Hazardous Events, Losses and Damages Tracking and Analysis - organised with technical guidance from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) - brought together key national institutions on 11 February 2026 to discuss improvements to the way disaster losses and damages are documented, tracked and shared across the country. Workshop discussions focussed on how such improvements could support prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery through evidence-based decision-making, risk informed investments, and better national reporting on global agendas such as the Sendai Framework, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). As part of these discussions, participants were introduced to DELTA Resilience, a tool to register and monitor losses and damages, which supports countries by offering updated methodologies, common standards, and practical functionalities for tracking both hazardous events and their impacts. It was presented to help institutions better understand what approaches and technologies are available to strengthen disaster loss and damage monitoring, and how these can complement existing national practices.In his remarks to the Workshop, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Belize, Raul Salazar, endorsed the need for improved historical impact records to reinforce national efforts at strengthening probabilistic hazard and risk assessments, and set thresholds for early warning systems that can support resilient recovery processes and overall preparedness. “No model is better than the data that support it,” he stressed. Stronger loss and damage information contributes directly to Belize’s progress in advancing inclusive, multihazard early warning systems under the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative. At the heart of the shift is the recognition that disasters do not affect everyone equally. Disaggregated data, by geography, sector, sex, age, disability, helps reveal who is most at risk. As Captain Daniel Mendez, National Emergency Coordinator at NEMO, emphasized, “Keeping track of hazardous events and the losses and damages they cause gives us the evidence to prioritize where preparedness, response, and recovery investments are most needed.” Tracking losses at this level helps the country make decisions rooted in real impacts rather than assumptions.Equally important is the collaborative approach behind this work. In Belize, the disaster risk management system is led by NEMO but relies on many institutions working together, from technical agencies and environmental and climate authorities to academic institutions and local experts. Disaster risk reduction is a shared responsibility, and each institution holds a unique piece of the country’s disaster risk data landscape. Bringing these actors together supports the development of a more coherent national picture of loss and damage. Shared systems reduce duplication, improve data quality, and strengthen coordination across ministries. This also supports Belize’s reporting to global frameworks using information that already exists across national institutions.A more complete picture of losses, including those outside economic sectors and those triggered by slow onset events, also supports access to climate and resilience financing. The country’s Disaster Risk Financing (DRF) Policy and Implementation Plan highlights the importance of clear, documented evidence of disaster impacts to justify investments in preparedness, adaptation, and recovery. Better data helps Belize make stronger cases for support through loss and damage finance, adaptation funding, and risk‑transfer and insurance mechanisms. As Captain Mendez underlined, robust databases “allow us to identify systemic vulnerabilities across sectors and geographies,” helping Belize anticipate cascading risks rather than simply react to them.Sustaining this shift requires ongoing political commitment and strong governance. Keeping a national loss and damage database up to date, clarifying institutional roles, and consistently logging every event (large or small) are key steps toward strengthening prevention and preparedness. The UN Resident Coordinator highlighted how this effort also improves data governance overall, creating a shared evidence base that supports decision-making, planning, and resource allocation. Tracking losses ensures the country learns from each event and uses that knowledge to protect lives, livelihoods, and development gains. In the words of the Resident Coordinator, “for disaster risk to be managed, it must first be understood, and for this, measuring is a mandatory step.” Belize is making that step, and in doing so, is better equipped to safeguard what matters most. _______________ This work is supported by the European Union–Caribbean Resilience Programme (EU-CA-RES), implemented jointly by the European Union, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, and UNDRR. It is part of the Belize Inclusive Resilience in Safe and SMART Spaces Joint Programme, supported by the UN Joint SDG Fund, EU-CA-RES, and the Strengthening Enabling Environment for Strengthening Multi Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) in Belize, supported by the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative.

The Government of Belize and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) convened its 5th Joint National Steering Committee Meeting, co-chaired by H.E. Amalia Mai, CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Culture, and Mr. Raul Salazar, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Belize and El Salvador. The Joint Steering Committee provides strategic oversight and guidance for the United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNMSDCF) 2022-2026, which covers 22 countries in the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean and was adopted by Belize in December 2021.The meeting facilitated an exchange between Heads of UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) across several government line ministries around key areas of strategic cooperation. During this dialogue, the Government outlined its strategic priorities under Plan Belize 2.0, which is linked to the Pact for the Future adopted by United Nations Member States in 2024. The meeting also endorsed re-alignment of UNMSDCF 2022-2026 with Belize’s Medium-term Development Strategy (MTDS) 2022-2026.  A key agenda item was the UNCT’s presentation of the United Nations Country Results Report (CRR) on the Country Implementation Plan (CIP) for 2024-2025.  The CIP includes 161 projects to be implemented by 15 UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes working in Belize with an estimated budget of US $47 million. The UNCT also led a discussion on the Funding Compact 2.0 including opportunities to expand programming and partnerships in Belize.Mr. Salazar reaffirmed the commitment of the UN Country Team to continue its partnership with the Government on advancing sustainable development in Belize. "In the 2025 context, the UN Secretary General’s call for global unity remains more critical than ever to leave no one behind and achieve the SDGs by 2030. As the UN marks its 80th anniversary this year, it is both a time to celebrate key milestones and achievements, but also to innovate and adapt in a changing global environment. The 2024 Voluntary National Review (VNR) on all 17 SDGs shows that Belize has made progress in several areas including a reduction of multidimensional poverty from 36.5% in 2021 to 26.4% in 2023 (SDG1), reduction of unemployment rate from 13.7% to 2.1% in 2024 (SDG 8), and conserving 30% of Belize’s ocean space under the Blue Bond (SDG13 & 14) to name a few examples. The UN Country Team stands ready to continue to support Belize in achieving its Medium-Term Development Strategy and SDG acceleration by 2030.”  The meeting closed with an exchange around the International Cooperation Council (ICC) established by the Government in 2023, the UN’s 80th anniversary commemoration in Belize, and the roadmap for the new UN Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNMSDCF) 2027-2031 currently in the planning and development stage.  Contact:
Mirsy Ponce
Executive Associate
Office of the UN Resident Coordinator
United Nations in Belize
Phone: +501-822-2171
Email: Mirsy.Ponce@un.org 
  

The first national consultation on the “Early Warnings for All” (EW4All) initiative marked a key step in assessing the current state of early warning systems in Belize and identifying gaps that will inform the development of a concrete national roadmap. This plan will guide the country towards accessible, inclusive, and multi-hazard early warning systems that go beyond meteorological risks and incorporate a broader range of threats.Held from May 5 to 7, the consultation was convened by the Government of Belize, the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, and partners such as the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The meeting enabled the consolidation of a national diagnosis of gaps and opportunities, as well as the outlining of pillars and areas for improvement that will shape a coordinated national strategy.“Let this workshop be the starting point for a renewed national commitment: where we strengthen our multi-hazard early warning systems, mobilize the necessary financial and human resources, and align our efforts with ongoing initiatives. ‘Early Warnings for All’ should not be just a vision of the United Nations—it must be Belize’s vision. Together, with knowledge, partnerships, and willpower, we can build a more resilient and inclusive Belize for future generations,” stated Carlos Pol, Executive Director of the Ministry of Economic Development, on behalf of Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño.This national process is supported by a set of complementary initiatives. Among them is the development of the Country Work Programme (CWP), led by the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) with support from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), which defines risk management priorities for the next four years. The Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) project—jointly implemented by UNDRR and WMO—enhances the enabling environment for these systems. These efforts are further complemented by Belize’s active participation in the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative.“We recognize the strong commitment of the Government of Belize to disaster risk reduction, clearly reflected in the development of the CWP and its focus on inclusive and integrated early warning systems,” said Nahuel Arenas, Chief of the UNDRR Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean. “At UNDRR, we reaffirm our support to work alongside local governments in strengthening resilience and protection for all people,” he added.The consultation also served as a platform to launch the joint programme of the Joint SDG Fund titled “Inclusive Resilience in Safe and Smart Spaces in Belize,” implemented by UN Women and UNDRR, in partnership with the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government. The programme focuses on urban resilience, gender equality, and community safety, promoting safe and smart spaces and the development of inclusive local resilience plans for Belize City.The launch began with the official ceremony of Belize City’s accession to the MCR2030 initiative. During the event, Mayor Bernard Wagner formally handed over the signed letter of commitment to the UNDRR Regional Chief, thus marking the city’s incorporation into this global network and reinforcing its commitment to building a safer and more resilient urban future.“Our participation in MCR2030 goes beyond symbolism. It is a clear statement that Belize City is committed to a future where safety, preparedness, sustainability, and inclusive urban development are not optional, but essential,” declared Mayor Bernard Wagner.“This effort aims to ensure that more people—especially in the most vulnerable communities—receive timely alerts and know how to respond,” said Henry Charles Usher, Minister of the Public Service, Governance, and Disaster Risk Management.Beyond reports and diagnostics, the true impact of these initiatives will be measured by their ability to save lives and protect livelihoods, particularly in vulnerable communities and among historically excluded groups.“Belize’s commitment to linking national policies with concrete local actions is an encouraging step towards the goals of the Sendai Framework. This progress reminds us that when we work in coordination and keep people at the center, resilience is not only possible—it is real,” stated Raúl Salazar, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Belize and El Salvador.Resilience is more than a policy—it is a daily practice that requires coordination, evidence, participation, and political will. On this path, Belize and El Salvador recognize each other as natural partners. What is learned in one context can—and should—strengthen action in the other.

Belize has been praised by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) for advancing the right of women and girls to education. The Committee, which consists of 23 international experts on women's rights, monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and reviews progress made by countries in fulfilling their obligations under the treaty. Alongside the commendation, Committee experts reviewing Belize's combined fifth to ninth periodic reports on implementation of the treaty, also raised concerns about women's and girls' access to healthcare in Belize and the prevalence of gender-based violence, particularly in relation to gang activity.One Committee member praised Belize's efforts to improve access to education for women and girls, notably through the creation of the Belize Education Upliftment Programme, launched to improve access to education for students from low-income households. The introduction of compulsory psychosocial support sessions for children aged five and six was also highlighted as a positive step for its role in boosting emotional intelligence, self-esteem, and positive behaviours — all traits that support building healthy relationships.The Committee also registered its deep concern about the prevalence of gender-based violence in Belize, noting its connection to high levels of insecurity, proliferation of firearms, and gang warfare. About 65 per cent of murdered women and girls in Belize are victims of gender-related killings or femicide, with half of these murders committed using firearms.The Belizean delegation, led by Elvia Vega-Samos, Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, acknowledged these challenges, outlining measures being taken to combat gun violence and drug trafficking, including enhanced policing efforts and outreach programmes targeting vulnerable youth. While the Committee further commended Belize for removing fees in public hospitals and deciding to waive taxes on feminine hygiene products, experts inquired about adolescent pregnancy rates and the government's efforts to address this issue, as well as measures to ensure safe access to sexual and reproductive health services, including safe abortion services.CEDAW was established by the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Belize, having ratified the Convention in 1990, is one of the 189 state parties legally obligated to implement the treaty's provisions and is subject to regular review by CEDAW.