Handing-Over Ceremony of Excess Property to NEMO (December 30, 2008)
2008 Speeches
Handing-Over Ceremony of Excess Property to NEMO (December 30, 2008)
Belmopan, Cayo
Good Morning.
It is my great pleasure to represent the government and the people of the United States at today’s handing-over ceremony of supplies donated to the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO).
Today’s donation, which consists of 528 cots, is valued at US $ 27,300.00 – just over BZ $ 54,000. The donation was funded by the Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP) and executed by the US Southern Command. The HAP program has been assisting Belize since 2003 and has been particularly active in assisting NEMO. The HAP program provided relief and disaster supplies as well as funding for the construction of this warehouse in Belmopan and the NEMO warehouse in Big Creek. HAP also provided a Regional Information System and funded renovations to the NEMO warehouse in Ladyville. Next year, HAP will be providing NEMO personnel with Performance Management Operations Training which is a step-by-step warehouse management training course.
In addition to this donation of cots, earlier this year the US MLO through the US SOUTHERN Command and with the assistance of the US Embassy conducted a MEDRETE exercise in Burrell Boom and Crooked Tree to assist individuals in the Belize River Valley affected by Tropical Depression 16. Almost 700 patients were seen by this medical team. In addition to medical assistance, the US SOUTHERN Command donated 600 cases of water, toiletry supplies, and backpacks with school supplies, and boots to those communities. I am pleased to announce that we have another MEDRETE scheduled this coming spring. It will be held from April 25 to May 9 in the Corozal District and will serve people from the villages of San Narciso, Libertad, Cristo Rey, and San Joaquin.
Last month, equipment valued at US$608,000 was donated to the Belize Defence Force and the Belize National Coast Guard through the Global Peacekeeping Initiative and U.S. Department of Defense Counter Drug Assistance Program.
This equipment greatly enhances Belize’s security forces in carrying out their mission - to confront transnational threats as well as to assist in security operations to protect Belize’s territorial and littoral integrity.
We live in a region where natural disasters can and do strike, so we must plan for the worst. I am proud of today’s donation, and I am proud of the U.S. Mission’s work with NEMO. This is another example of good work through partnership.
The Embassy and I look forward to continuing our close relationship with NEMO, as it continues its work on behalf of the people of Belize.
Thank you all for attending