2007 Speeches
The Handing-Over and Inauguration of the National Emergency Management Organization Warehouse Building in Big Creek - April 30, 2007
It is my pleasure to represent the United States Government today at the dedication of this disaster relief warehouse.
This is a wonderful facility that is being turned over. I am told that the warehouse is at least 17 feet above sea level and I should note that, in keeping with its function, this structure is built to withstand the 180 mile per hour winds associated with a Class V hurricane. We will be donating additional shelving, a secure perimeter fence and a computer with management software to complete the facility.
This warehouse was constructed by the U. S. Department of Defense's Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP) executed by the U.S. Southern Command headquartered in Miami. I want to thank Mr. Tony Zabaneh and his family for their generosity in donating this five acre parcel of land for the warehouse. Their assistance was critical in making this facility a reality and we appreciate it. This result is the outcome a combined effort by government to government cooperation and private sector contribution and demonstrates what superb results can be achieved through partnership.
The HAP program has been very active in Belize, conducting annual medical exercises that bring medical care to thousands of rural Belizeans. The HAP program already renovated the disaster relief warehouse located in Ladyville, built the NEMO warehouse in Belmopan which was inaugurated last April, and delivered excess property items to Belize which greatly benefits schools and clinics, such as the school desks donated to the Toledo district in 2005. This year, I know they will also be delivering an excess property shipment to the Belmopan NEMO Warehouse that will provide needed supplies to fill the warehouse. In addition, the program is sponsoring a New Horizons military engineer exercise that is constructing four schoolhouses in Belize and is providing equipment and furnishings to the recently renovated Youth Hostel facility in Rockville.
It is my understanding that our Military Liasion Office is requesting the HAP program to provide Belize with one more warehouse to be located somewhere in Corozal or Orange Walk District. At this point, the U.S. Government will have assisted Belize in setting up a national emergency warehouse in each part of the country to provide services during emergencies.
Let me close by saying that I look forward to continuing our close relationship with NEMO. Let us hope that this facility is never called upon to fulfill its function. However, we live in a region where natural disasters can and do strike, so we must plan for the worst. George Lovell knows this very well and we will help, as partners, where we can.
There are many people to thank today and there is not sufficient time. But I want to single out the tremendous effort put forth by Ms. Natalie Fuller and LTC Tammy McNamara of the U.S. Military Liaison Office. I can assure you that without their diligence we would not be standing here today in this fine facility. I’d also like to acknowledge the excellent work of John Usher, of John D. Engineering in leading the construction team.
This facility is a tribute to the cooperative efforts of the US Military, the government of Belize and the private sector. I am proud of this facility, and proud of the U.S. Mission’s work with the National Emergency Management Organization. It’s an example of the good work that can be accomplished through partnership. Thank you all for attending.