Belmopan, May 30, 2024.
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño, met on 28th May 2024.
- Cabinet was briefed on the ongoing fires that have affected multiple communities across the nation and approved funds for the National Emergency Management Organization for operational support. In addition, Cabinet appointed an inter-ministerial working group to address the needs of affected communities.
- Cabinet discussed a report from the National Emergency Management Organization on shelter inspections ahead of the 2024 hurricane season. Predictions are that this season will be active with the possibility of 23 named storms, of which 11 could become hurricanes, and five could reach major hurricane status. As a part of NEMO’s preparedness plan, Cabinet gave its approval of the list of hurricane shelters and allocated funds for the repair and enhancement of shelters nationwide where necessary.
- Cabinet endorsed the plan for the digitization of Immigration and Customs declaration forms to support online submission by airline passengers entering Belize through the Phillip Goldson International Airport. This will assist in modernizing the entry process and enhancing efficiency while greatly improving the experience for travelers.
- Cabinet gave its approval for the Attorney General’s Ministry to enter into an agreement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to introduce a pilot project for victim-offender mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism within the criminal justice system. This collaborative project with the European Union and the UNDP Pace Justice Project will serve as an innovative response to the backlog of cases in the criminal justice system and place people at the forefront.
- Finally, Cabinet was updated on the efforts being made to assist Belize Electricity Limited as it seeks to manage the transmission and distribution of electricity in the wake of climate change-impacted electricity supply constraints. Cabinet further advises all Belizeans to conserve energy and stay hydrated during these dry, hot days.
Ends
