Improved national and local capacities for hurricane related disaster preparedness, mitigation and response in the agricultural sector in Belize

National disasters in Belize are one of the major challenges for agriculture development and food and livelihood security of smallholders. The country is regularly affected by hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding and drought. In August 2007, Hurricane Dean, a category five hurricane, hit the north of Belize affecting 14 000 people and causing economic damage of USD 14 million, mostly due to direct wind damage and flooding. In 2010, Belize was hit by hurricane Richard. Limited and/or absence of technical options for risk reduction at the field level, increases farmers' vulnerability to hurricanes.

The FAO technical cooperation project for Enhanced Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Response in the agricultural sector in Belize was requested by the government of Belize to review available and relevant information on reported damages in the agriculture sector and determine possible follow-up assistance.

Specific project objectives

1. Supporting small farmers in selected villages through the identification and demonstration of appropriate DRM technologies and  practices and capacity building for replication; 
2. Building the institutional and technical capacities within the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) at national and district levels to more effectively manage all phases of the disaster cycle;
3. Building the technical and institutional capacities to undertake improved damage and needs assessments in the agriculture sector (with a specific focus on the identification of the needs to protect food security and livelihoods of most vulnerable rural populations).

Project period: 10/2008 - 08/2011