Assisting Haiti Earthquake Victims

- Press Release, Belmopan, January 14, 2010 – Hours after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale devastated the Caribbean island nation of Haiti, Belize prepares to join the worldwide humanitarian efforts.

NEMO is making preparations to assist the people of Haiti as they endure the catastrophic devastation brought on by the earthquake. Search, rescue, medical and other skilled personnel to assist Haiti will be coordinated by NEMO and channeled through CARICOM’s Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).

NEMO, on behalf of the Government and people of Belize, appeal to the public for help for the millions of people suffering in Haiti due to the earthquake.

Cash assistance can be sent to:NEMO Scotia Bank Relief Account # 193-48-10

At this stage, CASH is the quickest means of initial assistance due to the logistics and costs associated with transporting bulky relief items. NEMO Belize is in constant communication with Belize’s Hon. Consul in Haiti, Dider Gardere, who along with CDEMA will conduct the initial assessment and then inform on the best manner in which Belize will be able to assist the people of Haiti.

Reef Radio, in collaboration with the San Pedro Red Cross, is currently conducting a Radiothon this morning, Friday, January 15, 2010, asking island residents to extend their kind monetary donations. To assist please call 226-4054.

Smart customers can also now donate to the Haiti relief fund via a text message from their phones. To make a donation, send a text to 2273 (CARE) and in the body of the text message enter the amount to be given. The amount will be deducted from your existing credit or added to your monthly bill. All the proceeds will be handed over to the Belize Red Cross.

On Thursday, January 14, a donation of $10,000.00 Belize Dollars was presented by representatives of Smart to the Belize Red Cross to help in the relief efforts in Haiti. The donation was given to the Belize Red Cross to assist the organization in reaching its goal of $100,000.00 to aide in the relief efforts.

“We applaud the Red Cross for their continued commitment to improving the quality of life in Belize and around the world. As we have seen on the news, the situation is grim and we send our prayers and condolences to the President and people of Haiti” commented Mr. Ernesto Torres, CEO of Smart.

San Pedro Cenote Deeper than Expected

After the earthquake hit Honduras on Thursday, May 28 and shook Belize as well, a sink hole (cenote) was found in an empty lot about one mile North of the bridge. The sinkhole measured about 30ft in diameter and although the depth cannot be measured it is believed to be more than 30ft deep.
Last week Thursday, June 25, a group of workers from Graniel’s was sent to the area to try to pump out the water from the cenote. Several attempts were made but efforts seemed futile as the water level rose up again and the edges were crumbling in. One person has attempted to dive into the cenote but ran out of rope. Other attempts will be make to determine its depth or any connections to underground cave systems.

Honduras Shakes, AGAIN!

Earthquake shakes Honduras; no reported damage

A 5.7-magnitude earthquake has shaken Honduras but there are no reports of injuries or damage. The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake struck at 11:13 p.m. Sunday and was centered 15 miles (24 kilometers) northwest of the Caribbean coastal town of La Ceiba. National emergency spokesman Ruy Argenal says no injuries or damage were reported. Honduras is still recovering from a 7.3-magnitude earthquake May 28 near La Ceiba that killed seven people, injured 40 others, and caused $100 million in damage.

Honduras is still shaking after the 7.3 magnitude earthquake, that even heavily shook Belize, on Thursday, May 28, 2009. There have been recorded much more smaller quakes since then in the same general area; some people in Belize are recording feeling them. Below are some of the most recently recorded earthquakes in the Honduras area:

1) 4.5 Earthquake Offshore Honduras,30 km (20 miles) NW of La Ceiba, Honduras,* Sunday, June 07, 2009 at 11:13:16 PM local time at epicenter

2) 4.5 Earthquake Offshore Honduras (6.2 miles),* Saturday, June 06, 2009 at 05:53:46 AM at epicenter 4.7

3) 4.7 Earthquake Offshore Honduras (6.2 miles),* Friday, June 05, 2009 at 10:37:38 PM at epicenter

4) 4.7 Earthquake Inland Honduras,50 km (30 miles) SE of La Ceiba, Honduras,* Thursday, June 04, 2009 at 06:41:13 PM at epicenter

5) 5.0 Earthquake Inland Honduras,45 km (30 miles) SE of La Ceiba, Honduras, * Tuesday, June 02, 2009 at 12:43:42 AM at epicenter

Eartquake Damage at Monkey River Village

These are pictures obtained from the Belize News Post showing the damage the Honduran earthquake left behind at the Monkey River Village, the northern most village in the Toledo District. The village as one of the most affected areas in southern Belize by the quake. (images submitted by Wil Maheia to the Belize News Post)