As a tropical country geographically located in the Central American and Caribbean regions Belize lies inside the ‘ hurricane belt”. The rainy / hurricane season occur from June to December and during that period, along with other countries of the Caribbean Region, Central America and the Southern states of the United States particularly those which are coastal states, the weather is very closely watched for the development of tropical storms and hurricanes.

Belize has been struck by hurricanes and tropical storms over its recorded history a significant number of times. The history of hurricanes in Belize will definitely always mention the big one on 10th September,1931 for which the population was unprepared, Hurricane Hattie on 31st October,1961 for which we were prepared but nonetheless did not prevent major damage, the unprecedented exodus from Belize City to escape Hurricane Mitch in October 1998 which mercifully did not strike Belize but still caused some significant damage to coastal areas while it was pounding Honduras, and Hurricane Keith in 2000 which caused its damage because of the long period it lingered over the country’s north eastern areas especially the cays. In between those hurricanes mentioned there were others of lesser intensity but all with some damage to the country’s economy from wind, rain and floods. Indeed as any meteorologist will tell you the greatest danger to life from hurricanes comes from storm surge or floods, not from wind although winds will damage buildings and other physical assets.

In recent times though, Belizeans have been confronted with the flooding aspects of not only hurricanes but very surprising to many, also by what once used to be regarded as small weather systems not within the definition of a hurricane. We have come to experience devastating floods with loss of lives ,homes and crops. Over the period 1998 to 2008 the country has experienced a series of hurricanes , tropical storms, tropical depressions and rains that have caused over $500 million in damage to the economy, not adding in the loss of lives.

As a hardy people we always make an effort to help ourselves and those among us who do not have the capacity to do the same. As a country we have been greatly assisted by other countries and aid organizations. As a diocese, through the contributions in cash and kind from our own congregations and schools as well as from our friends and partners abroad, we have been able to assist those who have suffered from these events.

2008 was a particularly unfortunate year for the country because although we did not get a hurricane there were two floods, in June and October respectively which caused major damage and loss of lives. The June floods affected mainly the southern part of the country. In Hope Creek Village the diocese was able to help with the cost of rebuilding one home, provided food and clothing and household items to some families, and provided school supplies for the children of Hope Creek Government School. The Bishop Rt. Rev. Philip Wright also presented to the Belize City Council a financial grant to assist in the repairing of the homes of some low income persons who were affected by the rains from the same tropical depression.

After the October floods which affected the west and northern districts as well as Belize City and the villages in the Belize River Valley, the diocese resolved to particularly assist the farmers in the River Valley who had lost their crops and animals.

The Anglican Diocese on Friday 16th January,2009 made a presentation of over $4,000.00 in agricultural assistance to the farmers of Lemonal Village in their continuing efforts to recover from the devastating floods which occurred in October 2008 in the Belize River Valley.

Diocesan Secretary Ms. Cecile Reyes on behalf of the diocese presented to Village Council Chairperson Olive Banner several thousand hybrid seeds for planting crops including cabbage,tomatoes,sweetpepper,corn, as well as 1000 lbs. of cattle feed and 26,400 ft .of barbed wire fencing. A smaller donation of similar seeds to the value of over $500.00 was made to the small farmers in Gracie Rock Village.

The total value to date of the diocese’s flood relief efforts has exceeded $60,000.00 We will continue to offer assistance where possible to the people in those communities who are still struggling to recover.

We invite our friends to continue to partner with us to build our capacity to respond to these types of natural disasters and emergencies.

Donations may be made by cheques to Anglican Diocese of Belize and mailed to the address shown on this website. Please specify the purpose of your donation in this regard as hurricane and flood relief.

To see pictures of the floods and visits made by the diocese to some of the affected areas click here.