By: Omar Silva

Editor: National Perspective Bz – Digital 2024

www.nationalperspectivebz.com

 Belize City Friday, 29th November 2024

As Belize grapples with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Sara, the devastating floods are merely the latest chapter in the ongoing narrative of a People’s United Party (PUP) government overwhelmed by crises. From a battered economy to unaddressed natural disasters, Belizeans are left wondering how much more they can endure under an administration that continually reacts after the fact.

A Fiscal Crisis Deepens

Seven months into the 2024-25 fiscal year, the PUP government is already broke. The recent request for an additional supplementary budget highlights how dire the financial situation has become. Yet, despite the warning signs, little has been done to proactively address the nation’s vulnerabilities.

The country now faces:

• Fusarium and New World Screw Worm outbreaks threatening agriculture and livestock.
• A tourism decline, as global cruise lines invest millions in neighboring Riviera Maya while Belize’s infrastructure and attractions fall short of regional competitors.
• Flood devastation that has crippled the economic lifeline of communities in the West, South, and North.

With these compounding crises, Belize’s economic fragility is laid bare, and the government’s lack of foresight continues to leave the people paying the price.

Floods Cripple Belize’s Rural Communities

The floods caused by Tropical Storm Sara have ravaged homes, inundated streets, and washed away agricultural crops. The Belize River Valley, particularly Crooked Tree, Rancho Dolores, May Pen, and Flowers Bank, remains submerged. Families are displaced, relying on makeshift shelters and limited aid as floodwaters roll downstream.

The Ministry of Human Development, led by Area Representative Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, has focused on distributing groceries and cleaning supplies. However, this piecemeal response does little to address the long-term damage or restore livelihoods. While the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has deployed teams to provide assistance, Captain Daniel Mendez admitted that damage assessments remain incomplete due to ongoing flood conditions.

Agriculture Takes a Massive Hit

The agriculture sector, a cornerstone of Belize’s economy, is reeling. Farmers in Cayo and the Belize River Valley have reported catastrophic losses to vegetable crops, sugarcane fields, and even cattle. These losses exacerbate the country’s already precarious food security and economic stability.

Servulo Baeza, CEO of the Ministry of Agriculture, acknowledged the impact but offered no immediate solutions beyond deploying field officers to assess the damage. Farmers, many of whom are small-scale producers, face the prospect of starting over without sufficient government support.

Reacting After the Fact

The government’s response to Tropical Storm Sara mirrors its broader governance style—reactive, delayed, and insufficient. Despite knowing that the hurricane season poses predictable risks, the PUP waited until late into the season to allocate $1.5 million for NEMO in a supplementary budget. This neglect is emblematic of a broader failure to prioritize disaster preparedness, leaving Belizeans to face the consequences.

The government’s delayed damage assessments and limited relief efforts raise critical questions:

1. Why was there no contingency plan in place?
2. How will the government secure funding for long-term recovery?
3. What support will be provided to farmers and displaced families?
4. Why has Belize fallen behind its regional neighbours in tourism and disaster preparedness?

Critical Issues Ahead of the 2025 Elections

As Belize approaches the 2025 General Elections, these unresolved crises loom large. The PUP cannot afford to offer vague promises when the people demand overdue answers. The government must address:

• Economic revitalization: A comprehensive plan to stabilize agriculture, tourism, and local industries is desperately needed.
• Disaster preparedness: Investments in resilient infrastructure and emergency response systems are critical.
• Transparency and accountability: Belizeans deserve to know where relief funds are going and how they will be spent.

The administration must recognize that its pattern of reactive governance is no longer tenable. Belizeans are tired of excuses and dismissive remarks. They need leadership that plans ahead, delivers results, and prioritizes the welfare of the people.

The Price of Neglect

Tropical Storm Sara has left Belize battered and bruised, but the real disaster is a government caught flat-footed in the face of mounting challenges. The PUP's failure to prepare for predictable crises—whether natural disasters, agricultural threats, or economic decline—has left Belizeans to bear the brunt of their inaction.

It’s time for Belize’s leadership to rise to the occasion. The people cannot wait any longer for promises to become action. As the floodwaters recede, the question remains: how long will Belizeans have to wait for a government that puts their needs first?