Belmopan, October 30, 2025.
As part of its ongoing mandate to ensure the highest standards of care and safety within registered childcare and residential care facilities, the Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs, through the Registrar/Inspectorate Unit, conducted specialized training sessions for facility staff across the country.
Following the home invasion incident earlier this year at Marla’s House of Hope, the Ministry identified an urgent need to equip staff with the necessary skills to respond effectively to emergencies. In partnership with the Department of Human Services, the Ministry sought to provide targeted training addressing situational awareness and site security.
A team of ten professionals from Agape International Missions (AIM), experienced in field rescues and protection work, travelled from the United States to Belize to deliver the Situational Awareness and Site Security Training on October 27 and 28, 2025. The training focused on:
- Enhancing situational awareness and threat recognition.
- Implementing the Standard Response Protocols (SRP) for emergencies.
- Strengthening physical site security through practical, cost-effective measures.
- Maintaining a trauma-informed approach when responding to security incidents.
The sessions also included a hands-on drill simulating real-life scenarios to ensure staff readiness and confidence in responding to emergencies. Registrar and Inspectorate staff reaffirmed that such training is part of their yearly mandate to ensure all registered facilities maintain compliance with national standards and continue to provide safe, nurturing environments for Belize’s children and vulnerable populations.
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