Youths Lead Disaster Preparedness in Corozal

While Hurricane Melissa dominates headlines across the region, something inspiring is happening right here at home. In San Roman, Corozal, dozens of young Belizeans came together on Friday for the second National Youth Forum on Disaster Risk Reduction. Now, that might sound like a mouthful, but here’s what it really means: these students are learning how to save lives before disaster strikes. From hurricanes and floods to even earthquakes, they’re getting hands-on training to protect their communities through smart planning and quick action. The energy in that room was nothing short of inspirational. These young minds aren’t just talking about change; they’re also leading it.

 

Daniel Mendez, National Emergency Coordinator

“Belize is no stranger to the effects of disasters. Every year we experience hurricanes, floods and droughts because you’ve seen this, you lived it last year and this year and you know what I am talking about. But time and again, we see the strength of the Belizean people, neighbors helping neighbors, communities coming together and young people stepping up to support response and recovery efforts. That spirit of unity and service is what disaster resilience is truly all about. At NEMO, our mandate goes beyond responding to emergencies. We are focused on education, preparedness and building a culture where every citizen understands their role in reducing risk. In that mission, you, the youth, are essential. You are the ones who can use technology to share accurate information, to develop innovative solutions and inspire others to act responsibly, whether it’s creating awareness on social media, organizing cleanup drives or helping to develop a community emergency plan, your contributions make a difference.”