(NOVEMBER – DECEMBER, 2012) (FUNDED BY THE NORWEGIAN RED CROSS THROUGH THE IFRC) (US$20,000.00)

To raise awareness about climate change among the general population and key stakeholders and to reduce urban risk in the vulnerable, marginal neighbourhood was the focus of this project. The Jane Usher Boulevard area was strongly affected by the passing of Hurricane Richard, facing severe flooding, damage to houses, and a rise in illnesses.

A public awareness campaign about climate change was carried out in the city of Belize. Using different methods to raise awareness, (posters, Facebook,) key messages were delivered to the general population. The Jane Usher Community was mobilized to improve their neighbourhood, cleaning up, reduce breeding grounds for vector, and beautifying by planting trees. The Belize Red Cross further demonstrated their support by donating a 20-foot container to safely store the initial equipment and materials donated through the project for the clean-up and to remain as future storage space for the resource centre once this was completed. Items donated through the project for the clean-up activity were wheelbarrows, shovels, hole diggers, weed wackers, machetes, rakes, garbage bags, gloves and garbage bins, files and paint.

The final event was an open day organized as a platform to continue raising awareness about climate change and to advocate for support to reduce risk in the urban area. The community continues to advocate for a resource centre and a health post with the support of the Belize Red Cross.