Belmopan, May 7, 2025.
The Ministry of the Public Service, Governance and Disaster Risk Management, through the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and the National Meteorological Service (NMS), is pleased to announce the first National Consultative Workshop on the United Nations Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) Initiative in Belize. Co-organized by NEMO, which is the designated focal point for the Initiative in Belize, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), this consultation will foster collaboration and drive national ownership of the EW4ALL Action Plan. This collaborative effort will pave the way for a safer and more resilient Belize that is equipped to face future challenges.
The Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) Initiative presents a timely opportunity to address a critical gap in Belize’s early warning system (EWS) infrastructure. Launched by the UN Secretary-General in 2022, this global initiative aims to ensure universal access to early warnings, prioritizing the most vulnerable. The Multi-Hazard Early Warning System’s (MHEWS) four foundational pillars–disaster risk knowledge, observations and forecasting, dissemination and communication, and preparedness and response–in addition to a cross-cutting or inter-pillar on governance, provide a roadmap for strengthening MHEWS.
The Government of Belize has a crucial role in championing this effort. By embracing a ‘whole-of-society’ approach–engaging civil society, the private sector, and vulnerable groups–Belize can ensure an inclusive, responsive, and equitable MHEWS. Recognizing the disproportionate impact of disasters on different demographics, an intersectional approach is vital.
The Ministry extends its appreciation to the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction for this collaboration.
