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All the public criticism of NEMO is likely to destroy the enthuiasm
of most of the people who are working hard. No one here in Belize
has had experience of handling a disaster of such magnitude. I am
continually liasing with NEMO telling them what we are doing to
avoid duplication. There have been cases where people have
complained of not receiving goods, only to find that their village has.
Nothing is perfect, but I would have to say that in the main most of
the NEMO staff are reacting well under difficult circumstances, with
little practical experience, lots of problems and of course a few
scamps.


NEMO will be working with us to arrange regular supplies of food
over 6 months for the PG villages. There will be consultations to
ensure no overlapping. We are consulting with the RED cROSS ON
THE HOUSING PROBLEM.


They have of course been overwhelmed by the large number of
volunteers who arrived in PG to help. Lack of co-ordination of
manpower and building supplies, as well as where to build, are
major concerns. With 18,000 people homeless it is not surprising
they have a few complaints.


All in all, I am most impressed by the willingness of people to help,
and it behoves us here to see that the help is directed in the most
efficient way to those who need it most as quickly as possible.


More tomorrow.


Thanks for your help.


Frank Redmond

Frank is right:

We went through exactly the same with the flooded villages here in Northern
Belize after Keith.


At first -- it was a list of screw ups -- but within 4 to 5 days NEMO
really got organized and did an incredible job of feeding numerous villages
for months! With no "wasting" of resources.


I can personally attest to that!


I believe the "mistakes" that occurred down South regarding NEMO relief are
simply due to inexperienced personal -- that has changed now!


We had the same thing happen here in Northern Belize last year.


NEMO is presently running like a well oiled machine!


Many hard working volunteers are manning positions in NEMO seeing this job
gets done right through to the very end.

Peter Singfield

This is my reading of what NEMO is setting out to achieve food wise
over the next five/six months.


After compiling lists of family units by villages, and determining the
weekly requirements, NEMO will supply and distribute to these
families in their villages basic supplies to cover the period till new
crops are harvested. Questions like" do we supply to families who
have not lost their milpas" come up. Difficult.


The initial short term requirements for food and medical seem to
have been well met. Clothes and household items are still needed.


Cordination of manpower and building supplies for shelters is
problematical at this time. But, considering that NEMO staff have
had no experience in handling disasters of this magnitude, they are
doing a good job under difficult circumstances. All is not perfect, but
all is not bad. I would want to caution those who would just critisize
as this could lead to dampening the enthusiasm of those who are
working very hard to help.

The Mennonite group have returned from Punta Gorda and as a
result of discussions with the people in PG we have set ourselves a
challenge.


To build 200 houses as quickly as possible.


Today, three were built.........197 to go.


The houses will be 16 X 24, zinc roof, wooden beams and struts, on
posts supplied by the new owner, who will also case in the sides of
the house.
Cost...Bze $800 per house. (assuming we can buy all the lumber in
PG)


cost will increase by Bze $200 if we cant, and have to buy in Cayo.


The location of the houses will be decided by the Mayan village
leaders. The three built today were built in San marcos, Maphrodite,
San Miguel.

We will keep records of the names of families helped and location of
each house built.


Forgive me all if I am unable to get pictures yet, but I will as soon as
I get chance to go there again. I feel it better at the moment to get
busy with fund-raising.


The mennonites will set up a central location, prefabricate the roof
beams where there is electricity, haul to site and bingo...... one
more happy family.
So, 172 to go.


My thanks to all who are helping.