Government Meets Church Officials From Guatemala to Discuss Community Investment

Government officials and representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints met in Belize this week to explore ways the church could support local communities with health care, disaster response, and development projects.

The Church sent two humanitarian specialists from Guatemala for the trip. While the pair works region-wide out of Guatemala, the Church itself already runs local congregations and community programmes in Belize.

During their visit, they toured the Southern Regional Hospital, meeting with hospital administrators to discuss priorities for improving health services in the south. They also met with the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) to look at ways faith‑based groups can help strengthen disaster preparedness and community resilience.

While no specific projects or funding commitments were announced, the Ministry says these conversations are exactly the groundwork it wants. “The Ministry of Constitution and Religious Affairs remains committed to strengthening strategic partnerships between the Government of Belize and faith-based organisations that are invested in the nation’s development,” its release stated.

Dr Louis Zabaneh, who heads the Ministry of Constitution and Religious Affairs, and Ginéé Neal, director of Constitution and Religious Affairs, led the meeting on the government’s side.