Monica’s Clean Up Effort

Here's the story:..

Monica Bodden
"We actually put together a cleanup campaign for the residents of the Yabra community. the idea all came about after visiting the area doing stories and seeing the conditions that these people are left with after the hurricane. So what happen I throw the idea out there on Facebook and I got a lot of response from people wanting to come out and help."

And Monica's initiative blossomed into a full out community effort, with participation of students and the Belizeans for justice.

The crew attacked the mess on Reggae Street with resolve even though the mountains of garbage and the tangle of debris was intimidating:

Kairee Brown
"I had some second thoughts but I decided that it's a very good thing to help assist our fellow Belizeans because you may never know when something like this will happen in your area and you will need assistance."

Monica Bodden
"For me I've been here since Monday but the team; it was very overwhelming, they were like where do we start? but I think we cannot do everything in one day but somehow you got to start somewhere."

And that somewhere was this seafront yard on Reggae Street where the garbage collected, it seems, by the pound. It was back-breaking, hands-on manual labour - but the shared sentiment was that it has to be done and someone has to do it:

Jessica Beeks
"I came to help support the people in the Yabra community because right now they need serious help. We are helping with the clean up back here."

Kairee Brown
"I believe that I am obligated in assisting my fellow Belizeans as any way possible."

Joan Sutherland, Belizeans for Justice
"So painful for especially me that know what is poor. So I would do anything along with Belizeans for Justice to help the people in Yabra."

Yolanda Schakron, Belizeans for Justice
"Well I think we need to help these people, we need to start get back their lives to some kind of normalcy."

And by day's end - after the effort was bolstered with trucks, manpower and more wheelbarrows - a significant difference was made and the area was much cleaner than when Monica's team first found it.

Yolanda Schakron, Belizeans for Justice
"The people have dignity and pride, because you are poor doesn't mean that you are neglected, so I am just asking other people to come out because we will do this until we get the area clean."

And on Sunday, Monica joined the Belizeans For Justice as they distributed a truckload of supplies in the Gracie Rock community…

And I'd also like to thank those who have donated so generously to my charity, the Toys for Tots foundation. We have been serving warm meals out of the community center in the Yabra area since Wednesday and it continues for the rest of this week.

An average of Over 1,400 plates are served daily - and yesterday for Sunday dinner we had over a thousand warm meals served at just one sitting.

The effort of the volunteers and the community policing unit has been tremendous and un-ceasing and it would not have been possible without the material support from:

• Sunny and Tan Bakery
• K Park Grocery
• The Bar Association
• Cambranes
• Andre and Ana's Lunch Box
• The Castillo Group
• Horizon School
• Grace Kennedy
• The Public Utilities Commission
• The Belize Tourism Board
• Heritage Bank
• The Indian Community
• The women's Group of Belmopan
• First Stop Pawn Shop
• Pastor Longworth Ministries
• Cave Tubing.com and Yohnnie Rosado
• Matthew Smiling
• Gilbert Franklin
• Young's Law Firm
• Tanya Sanchez

All those anonymous persons who walked in with food donations and last but certainly in a Big Way hummingbird Elementary School.

Things Are Cooking For Gaynor

She was upbeat but calling out for help:

Catherine "Miss Gayna" Valencio
"We have health, strength; we have life so I think we will make it"

But since then, things have come around:

Catherine "Miss Gayna" Valencio
"I am getting back my kitchen and I am still short of the items that I lost out of the kitchen but so far at least I am seeing an improvement."

Indeed, today things were looking brighter in a rather gloomy atmosphere - as the rebuilding of her kitchen is in progress - and she says it's all thanks to her area representative

Catherine "Miss Gayna" Valencio
"Mr. Martinez and crew come by and assist with my kitchen so I thank him and everybody else who got me in thoughts and prayers, I thank them because I need to get back."

This kitchen is expected to be finished by tomorrow and when it's done - Miss Gayna says- its back to business for her.

Catherine "Miss Gayna" Valencio
"Good help, real help because that was one of the first things I had ask for; help for my kitchen and my stuff so that I can start to work, because I can help myself I don't need anybody to help me, once I have my equipments, I can help myself. They can help someone else who can't help themselves."

And Monica Bodden was doing her part on Reggae street over the weekend - and we'll have that for you later on in the newscast…

Hurricane Richard Information:

• National Emergency Management Organization Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis HURRICANE RICHARD:
  Initial Situation Assessment Report
• Embassy of Belize Hurricane Richard Information:
  Message to the Belizean Community in the United States regarding the passage of Hurricane Richard over Belize on October 24, 2010
• Embassy of Belize Hurricane Richard Information II
  Update on the post-Hurricane relief and reconstruction efforts in Belize

San Pedro Delivers Materials and Fund for Hurricane Victims

Belize Lions Zone 59 grant $10,0000 US to Hurricane Richard Victims

Press Release

The Belize Lions Zone 59 is pleased to announce the disbursement of a grant of US$10,0000 to be used for relief supplies to the victims of Hurricane Richard. The money was secured through the Lions Club International Foundation (LCCIF) Disaster Relief Fund which is available to any district or zone after a disaster.

    Immediately after the passage of Hurricane Richard, The Belize Lions Zone 59 expressed to the Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. Dean Barrow, that as a service organization inn Belize, we were ready to assist in bringing some immediate relief too the victims of hurricane Richard.

Following the announcement of the initial assessment of the damages, The Zone Chairman, Baldemar Graniel, immediately contacted Lions International and provided them with the necessary documentation to secure the grant. On Monday November 1^st, LCIF contacted the Zone Chairman to inform him that the monies have been approved and ready for disbursement.

LCIF has a board-established grant criterion and emergency grant funds must be used only to provide basic necessities such as food, clothing, blankets, bottled water, and medical supplies for those affected by the disaster. Because monies must be utilized by the Lions, thee organization will be working very closely with the Government of Belize, through the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMMO), in identifying areas that are more in need. In the immediate days ahead, the Zone Chairman, Lion Graniel will be consulting with the Presidents of the Club to work out a methodology of disbursing relief supplies.

The LCCIF grant will complement the efforts of various other Lion s Clubs following the aftermath of Hurricane Richard. The Lions Club International Foundation, along with the Belize Lions Zone 59, continues to pledge its full support to all those Belizeans affected by Hurricane Richard and we remain committed in making our community and country a better place to live. On behalf of the Belize Lions Zone 59 and the people of Belize, we also wish to thank LCIFF for awarding us with thee much needed grant.

For more details please feel free to contact Zone Chairman Baldemar Graniel or Zone Secretary Jorge Aldana. 

Contacts: Zone Chairman (501) 610‐2489, 

Zone Secretary (501) 634‐1171 or (501) 662‐0143

Black Waters In Gales Point

The initial path of hurricane Richard - was predicted to make landfall somewhere near the village of Gale's Point Manatee. Luckily for these villagers - it shifted a little north. Nonetheless - this small village was badly battered by the storm- And today - there are still families left in shelters - with nowhere to go.

Mildred Williams, Hurricane Victim
"They say they are coming with board from about a couple of days ago but no one come yet so....."

Monica Bodden
"You are just waiting for that to happen?"

Mildred Williams, Hurricane Victim
(nods head)

Mildred Williams, is one of the many who lost her home during the storm. She said she has gotten assistance from NEMO and is now waiting for building supplies.

It was the first time she experienced a hurricane and it is one she says she will not soon forget.

Mildred Williams, Hurricane Victim
"From home when the breeze start around 3 in the afternoon then we come to the shelter here and there were several people that came here; my children and like 33 other families. But the next morning after the hurricane most of them went home although their houses were partially destroy. But my house is gone completely; the flooring, the siding the top, then my business place, my son house; hen the house fell the post that hold up the house destroy the flooring and the top."

Winds in the village started to pick up - late that evening.

Mildred Williams, Hurricane Victim
"Between 6:30 when the real weather start. When the weather start we had the side door open and we watch almost the entire storm because the breeze came from the back. When that was done there was calm, the chairlady came and told us not to go outside because the other part of the storm is coming. About 45 minutes before the other part of the storm came, when that came we heard like something drop on the verandah, we thought it was a drum that we had here. But the breeze came from all around the shelter, but we didn't get wet, a little water came in from the side door."

Ashanti Sabal - a mother of 4, is also staying at the shelter…

Ashanti Sabal, Hurricane Victim
"Well the roof and the wall got destroy."

Monica Bodden
"The 4 walls?"

Ashanti Sabal, Hurricane Victim
"No, one side of the house destroy and the zinc from the back of the house."

Sabal also talked about her first hurricane experience.

Ashanti Sabal, Hurricane Victim
"The first part of the breeze wasn't too rough, the second part was really rough."

Monica Bodden
"About what time that second part come?"

Ashanti Sabal, Hurricane Victim
"About 8 pm I think."

Monica Bodden
"About 8pm is when you start to experience heavy winds?"

Ashanti Sabal, Hurricane Victim
"Hard breeze yes, and then after that most of us have fallen asleep. Then like 1am we start to walk down the road to see what all had been destroyed."

Mildred Williams, Hurricane Victim
"After the second part done we went to the village about 3am. We see the houses and the roofs that were destroy, there were zincs in the streets. We came back to the shelter."

Ashanti Sabal, Hurricane Victim
"A lot of trees fell, a tree fell cross the road over here and we see fallen houses and I saw my grandfather was lean on one side, and there were a lot of debris in the road. "

Monica Bodden
"You say this was your first experience of a hurricane. What was it like for you?"

Ashanti Sabal, Hurricane Victim
"Well it was frightening."

And while these villagers are trying to pick up the pieces and rebuild - One of their major necessities is drinking water. This might look like a bag of juice this man is carrying - but it is far from that… in fact this is actually water from the faucets…

Zane Bradley- Public health Inspector
"In the case of this water; we brought out some aqua tablets, it is use to treat the water. Also we recommend that the people who are using the water to boil it and let it boil at least for 10 minutes before using it for drinking. We are concern about the children; we don't want them to have diarrhea or any vomiting so we are trying our best to treat the water. We understand that there are a lot of broken pipelines for the water system here in Gales point and this is why the water is coming out this way."

The Relief Regime

Today we spoke with Judith Alpuche, the CEO in the Ministry Of Human Development which is in charge of distributing relief and supplies to all storm affected communities. Her department has come under fire for ineffective outreach and uneven distribution. In a sense, with so much need, such criticisms are inevitable but she told us today they are undeterred in a programme that is both responsive and precise.

Judith Alpuche, CEO - Ministry of Human Development
"As the all clear was issued we mobilized, so we went out and we started to do assessments and at the same time delivering some very basic things to people. Water and tarps were at a premium on Monday as you can imagine when we started our assessments and distributing very basic food stuff. This happened in the Stann Creek District, in Belmopan and surrounding areas as well as Belize City and Belize Rural. By Tuesday in some of the hardest hit areas especially in the Cesar Ridge area we had already delivered to people full ration packs for the week, and those ration packs are a combination of ready to eat canned foods as well as foods that need to be cooked, cleaning and hygiene items; Clorox, soup powder and things that people will need to wash out their stuff. So those were delivered from Tuesday in some areas in Cesar Ridge and it's a similar story all over the country."

"Thus far in Belize City the numbers that we have: we've assisted over 1,400 families and we are still crunching the numbers in Belize City alone. In the Belmopan and surrounding areas it's around 700 families and in Dangriga - a like number. So as I said we feel pretty confident that by Saturday we have covered most of the ground and now we are doing mop-up."

Jules Vasquez
"How about the other areas in the Belize District - Freetown Sibun, Hattieville, Gracie Rock, Gales Point Manatee?"

Judith Alpuche, CEO - Ministry of Human Development
"We have been out there, Gales Point Manatee has been serviced actually from out Stann Creek office - from our Stann Creek operation because of the accessibility - it's easier. And we have been to Freetown Sibun, Gracie Rock etc. we've been working a long with Crystal Water who have taken in their bowser because the concern is also around drinking water because in communities such as Freetown and Gracie Rock they depend on the river for the water and the river is running black, so we know it's going to be a while."

"I know that in the beginning people were complaining about 'pen and paper' but this is how you guarantee universal access and that people are not double dipping right? Because at the same time we were filling out things we were providing people with some very basic things that we needed right then and there. We couldn't cover all the ground because we just didn't have enough in the first instance. That why we went back and we made sure that from Tuesday people were getting what they needed because we were focusing in on the most hard hit families in the first instance. It is not a bottomless pit so we have to ensure from the government standpoint that everybody gets a little bit and that those who need get it. What you have here is a hurricane that has been introduced into an already difficult circumstance and so families would need support for them to be able to stand up and to move on."

"We have to factor this in now to the larger policy response to poverty alleviation because we already know that some of these cases will turn into welfare cases whereas they weren't before, because of this they will turn into welfare cases."

And doing his part today was the area representative for Caribbean Shores, Carlos Perdomo. He collected a few mattresses for storm affected persons and told us about the donation:…

Hon. Carlos Perdomo, Minister of Defence and Immigration
"This is a contribution; our first contribution of about 18 mattresses which was donated by people in Caribbean Shores."

Jules Vasquez
"18 mattresses surely wont re-shape the face of the disaster affected areas."

Judith Alpuche, CEO - Ministry of Human Development
"Every little bit counts."

Hon. Carlos Perdomo, Minister of Defence and Immigration
"We are now beginning now to collect clothing to do another side issue on this rehabilitative effort."

And if you're wondering why Perdomo is on the media offensive - stay tuned because when we come back - we'll ask him is he's worried about a challenge from Roger Espejo….

RSV MEDIA CENTRE HOSTS TELETHON TO ASSIST VICTIMS OF HURRICANE RICHARD

Organizations and individuals continue to pool their efforts and resources to help victims of Hurricane Richard which struck Belize on the night of October twenty fourth. On Monday, RSV Media Limited, the parent company of Love FM, hosted a radio and television telethon to assist hurricane victims. Belizeans nationwide and in the diaspora had five hours, to call in and pledge a contribution or drop off their donation at our studios on Slaughterhouse Road. Carmen Barrow is the Manager of Multi Media Systems.

Carmen Barrow; Manager of Multi Media Systems

“We sat down as a management team and we looked at where we were as a country in terms of the relief and recovery efforts. I think all of us agreed that we really needed as a company to do more than just the coverage and ‘shut up shop’ and we’re done with it. So the decision was taken at that point for us to continue the coverage by way of bringing people’s stories to the general public so that whoever is out there could reach out and lend their own assistance and then thought let’s take this a little bit further in terms of using the resources that we have at our disposal to send out a call across the length and breathe of the country and abroad as well to those Belizeans and anybody who wanted to lend a hand by way of giving a financial contribution. We were asking for clothing, we were asking for food as well as for construction material.”

The telethon involved the participation of agencies such as the Red Cross, the Rotary club and NEMO. News teams were also sent to some of the most affected areas to help tell the stories of those who are in most need of assistance.

Carmen Barrow

“These are some of the first responder and some of the primary organizations that are involved in the whole process of the relief efforts and the whole recovery and rebuilding and getting people’s lives back to at least some semblance of the way that it was before impacted their lives. In addition to which, of course over the years Love FM has worked very closely with the Belize Red Cross and with Rotary and during the hurricane season we worked very closely with NEMO as well. We had sent out people during the storm and immediately after the storm we were out there. We were out there again in the Yabra Area, we were in Hattieville, in La Democracia, Hattieville and some of the affected area. I thought it was important for people to actually hear how it is that the Belizeans whose lives had been affected. It was important for people to hear their stories and the manner in which Richard had affected their lives and the immediacy with which they needed to get their lives back together. Getting back their pots and pans and stove so that they can continue to be independent contributors.”

Barrow says the outpouring of kindness from Belizeans and others was definitely what was needed to ensure that the victims of Hurricane get the help they need.

Carmen Barrow

“People actually brought in cheques. They came, they off cheques. People actually dropped off bundles of clothing, we got some food supplies and we got some mixed bags of stuff. Some people pledged which means now that the information that we collected, the four BTL operators we have to say thanks to them. The information that they gathered yesterday will not be passed over to the Red Cross during the course of today. They will take it from there in making sure that the funds that people pledged are collected and used in a meaningful way in terms of rebuilding the lives of the Belizeans who were impacted by Hurricane Richard. That was really touching for me. Regular men and women, children picking up the debris and throwing it into the back of the trucks that were going around. It really tells you that as a people we care for other people and I think that is an enduring part of the Belize spirit.”

The telethon raised some two hundred and four thousand dollars in cash as well as donations of clothing and other supplies.

LOVE FM

NEMO received Hurricane relief from U.S. Southern Command

On Tuesday the US Government was bearing gifts. Close to a million dollars were delivered to numerous NGO’s. Today the top brass of the US Southern Command delivered his own goodies; this time the recipient was NEMO, who got equipment that will come in handy in emergencies. News Five’s Jose Sanchez was present for the ceremony.

Jose Sanchez, Reporting

The United States government has handed over three hundred thousand dollars worth of equipment to be used in times of emergency to NEMO. The presentation was made by Lieutenant General P.K. Keen, the Military Deputy Commander of the U.S. Southern Command.

Lt. Gen. P.K. Keen, Military Deputy Commander, U.S. Southern Command

“The total value of supplies and equipment is about two hundred and ninety-six thousand Belize dollars. this donation was funded by the humanitarian assistance project known as HAP, and deployment of the light engineering company was enabled by global peace operation initiative and program by the department of state and we have the U.S. Southern Command to help execute those programs.”

Noreen Fairweather, NEMO Coordinator

Noreen Fairweather

“There has been a relationship between the Belize and SouthCom for some years now. We have had a significant partnership, collaboration and they have always extended tremendous amount of support. We owe as we speak to our warehouse at the national headquarter here in Belmopan the support from SouthCom, the one in Independence, retrofitting, training, equipment, the complete works. And this has happened not just today. So mtodayis just a ceremony for a handing over but it is more than that; it’s continued partnership, continued relationship.”

lt. gen. P.K. Keen

Lt. Gen. P.K. Keen, Military Deputy Commander, US Southern Command

“Miss Fairweather, I think the example of your national emergency management organization is one to be emulated here in the region and we are always amazed at how you are able to kick into action very quickly follow storms and to take care of people in Belize and we are always proud to be a partner with you when the need arises to provide assistance.”

Lieutenant General Keen also recognized the BDF’s presence and goodwill after the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

Lt. Gen. P.K. Keen, Military Deputy Commander, US Southern Command

“Our U.S. Department of State through the Global Peace Operation Initiative or GPOI has been working with and supporting the B.D.F. and the light engineering company in Belize since 2006. The program aims to build and maintain the capability, capacity and effectiveness for peace operations.”

Melvin Hulse

Melvin Hulse, Minister of NEMO

“Our military people have been part of nearly every exercise outcome done. They have been one of the pioneers in pushing the kind of structure we want in disasters. And the warehouses, you might think we di make a big thing out of a few donations today, but that donation is only qa continuation of what has been done for years and years of constant every giving. And if we didn’t have warehouses, we have fifty-two villages and two cities that got affected by Hurricane Richard. If it wasn’t for having these warehouses and having it at the level and standard and the hurricane proof—we have one in Ladyville, we have one in Belmopan, we have one in Independence and we hoping to beg them for one in Orange Walk—that is the whole purpose of the trip. Those immediate things where our people can get out there and help the grass root people with food within a few hours of the hurricane ending would not happen. It’sd what we have in the warehouse and those things that come now will help the thousands of people that are now personally affected.”

Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.

(Finally) PM Goes To Richard’s Ground Zero

He returned yesterday - and this morning after he appeared on the KREM W-U-B - we asked him if the Board of Governors meeting was more important than staying home to oversee the recovery efforts:.

Jules Vasquez
"Was the CDB board of governors meeting more important than domestic matters here?"

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"Well the CDB board meeting is an extension of domestic matters, we were voting for a new president and I also hope to talk to them about post hurricane assistance, so yes it was extremely important."

Jules Vasquez
"You should have already visited what is the ground zero for the storm [PM Barrow - Where is the ground zero?] The Yabra area, having been affected by both storm surge and the hurricane winds and its adjoining your division."

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"I think that's the problem; there are several ground zeroes; we did the fly over, I didn't see how I could visit one area and not visit the others and quite frankly there were too many areas to visit. My role is to find the money to make sure that every single person affected by the storm can be assisted in a meaningful way."

Jules Vasquez
"Being here now will you visit those storm affected areas on the ground again Yabra being so proximal to your Queen Square area?"

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"Yeah, that's not a problem as I said, I hope I don't get into trouble; damn if you do and you damn if you don't, I hope I don't get into trouble for not being able to go to each and every single affected area to each and every street."

Jules Vasquez
"There is something to be gain it would seem from an on the ground...; there is no approximation of how bad it really is from the air. Do you feel that it was an omission to have not gone on the ground?"

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"No man, look, we put in place the expertise, the systems, the organizational efforts and most important the ability to access money to do something with respect to people that have been affected and that were suffering. For me that was and is job one. If symbolically there is a feeling that I should go on a street or two; that's not a problem."

And he took us up on the challenge after the interview the Prime Minister went to get the minister of works Boots Matinez at his disaster recovery coordinating office and he led the way directly to Yabra - where the Prime Minister visited the hardest areas on the sea front seeing the damage first hand for the first time - albeit 9 days later.

For the area residents - including the family of baby Joshua - who have been so long in need - it was like an impromptu town meeting and while the leather shoes may have seemed incongruous straddling the water puddles as the PM gingerly stepped across the planks and ducked through makeshift doors throughout the tour there was no sidestepping the outcry of need and the PM was constantly engaged by the area residents even offering some solace also to the three men forced to live in tents - who have now gotten fees to rent a place until their living arrangements can be addressed.

Jules Vasquez
"From the air and from the ground it's a different view."

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"You are absolutely right Jules."

And while construction work was underway some like this man who want his boat fixed was told he'd have to wait.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"I still am committing to dealing with each and every household that's been affected in terms of structural damage, or structural destruction. I have request for the replacement of cars, boats; I have to say that I don't know we can go that far."

And while the PM did get a few glossy moments - this was a full contact tour - almost everyone needed something - those who were getting their roof repaired needed a stove or a refrigerator - and many for one reason or the other felt they hadn't gotten anything. The Prime Minister says that seeing it first hand was valuable:

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"I will content myself with knowing that I will have to beg and borrow even more than I have perhaps first anticipated because the scale of the damage, the scale of the destruction is as you say far greater than I had appreciated from just the fly over. The real tragedy is that while we are doing the replacements, we can't replace at the level I would like to see us replace. People are going to be a little better off than they were no doubt before the hurricane but they are still not going to be in any sense protected from another hurricane; we can't build structures that will withstand category 2 ,3 or 4 hurricanes and that's the real tragedy of things."

And while that is the long term problem, in the short term the PM was satisfied that help is getting out:

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"There is not a soul that I have spoken to including those that we've not been able to begin work for yet, not a soul that's not said 'I understand, I see the effort is being made', 'you did not reach me yet, but I know my turn is coming', 'I am grateful'."

Jules Vasquez
"But I can't say the same for your area representative who has taken from all contents but from reasonable people as well - a few impatient tones."

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"Well you would expect that. He is the one who is on the ground. My job is easier in terms of my only having to find the money only clearly when you have to be out here on a day to day basis and see the people everyday who are frustrated, who would want the help to come far quicker that it is materializing - you can expect that there will be frail tempers and that things will sometimes deteriorate. I am certainly very happy though that I have not been greeted with any disrespect, I can tell you that I would love to maintain things like that so I don't think I will be coming back until I am assured that the work is just about complete."

Hon. Boots Martinez
"At least when you get out there as the media you see that the condition of the people are being address so I always say 'don't worry about the noise in the market, you check your change' and one person or two person shouting and making noise and so forth does not deter my distraction in terms of the other people that is appreciative of what is happening and we have a job to do to deliver."

Jules Vasquez
"There is a lot of discontent which I suppose is inevitable."

Hon. Boots Martinez
"Well I don't know about a lot of people saying that they don't see me. You see work is being done at least on the prospective on where the ministry of works is concern to get people live back together."

Jules Vasquez
"Something is breaking down because there is still a lot of people who complain to me."

Hon. Boots Martinez
"But I am saying that the Prime Minister was out here, I was out there, I don't know if the people are afraid of their representative or the Prime Minister."

Jules Vasquez
"Some of them say that you are quarrelsome."

Hon. Boots Martinez
"We were out there. Quarrelsome in what sense? I want to be reasonable in a lot of sense and I have to be real with you. I quarrelsome? I don't need to quarrel al all boss, I don't need to quarrel with people. All what people want is the service and you see that we are delivering the service. If you want to see how handsome I am, I have no problem with that. I always say to my constituency - I don't have a problem you know but I can walk around all day if people just want to see you, but what I know is that people want the service. But at the end of the day everything can't happen, there is the issue of short of supply of materials, there is the issue of land filling. There are various issues."

Various issues all over the place and on this day, the head of government got a chance to see it firsthand…

According to the prime minister, the most recent figure on the assessment of the value of the storm damage is 75 million dollars. He says they have started work on over 50 homes in Belize City. Work is also ongoing in other districts. The Prime Minister also announced that the government will be borrowing from the Central Bank to finance the recovery effort. He says they will also be seeking foreign funding - particularly for drainage and a seawall in the Yabra area. To that end, IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno will visit Belize tomorrow.

Channel 7