Belize Boosts Health Crisis Readiness with RCCE Training

In a world where health emergencies can strike without warning, being prepared isn’t just important, it’s essential. That’s why this week in Placencia, the Pan American Health Organization, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, hosted a powerful three-day workshop focused on Risk Communication and Community Engagement, or RCCE. The goal? To strengthen the ability of public health professionals and community health workers to communicate clearly and effectively during crises, especially in the face of threats like pandemic influenza. Participants didn’t just sit through lectures. They rolled up their sleeves and dove into real-world simulations, tackling outbreak scenarios and learning how to craft messages that are timely, culturally appropriate, and most importantly trusted by the communities they serve. This initiative is more than just training. It’s laying the groundwork for a national RCCE plan, a blueprint to ensure that when the next health emergency hits, Belize is ready to respond with clarity, confidence, and compassion. And as the country continues to face evolving threats, from natural disasters to infectious diseases, PAHO/WHO and the Ministry of Health and Wellness are making it clear: empowering communities through communication is one of the most effective tools we have.