Community Emergency Response teams launched in Orange Walk

On Saturday, April 25, 2026, the adjoining villages of San Antonio and Santa Cruz on Albion Island, Orange Walk District, took an important step toward strengthening community resilience with the official launch of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs). The ceremony marked the start of a structured training programme, led by the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), under the Ministry of the Public Service and Disaster Risk Management, aimed at preparing residents to respond effectively to emergencies. The CERT programme will bring together community volunteers who will undergo comprehensive training in disaster risk reduction, participatory risk assessments, CPR, basic first aid, search and rescue, fire safety, and shelter management. Upon completion, participants will be equipped to serve as a vital first line of response, supporting their communities before, during, and after emergencies. San Antonio and Santa Cruz are among the communities in northern Belize that have historically experienced flooding. The introduction of the CERT programme in these villages is a proactive measure to strengthen preparedness, improve coordination at the local level, and reduce risks to lives, property, and livelihoods during flood events and other emergencies. In attendance at the launch were Hon. Henry Charles Usher, Minister of the Public Service and Disaster Risk Management, and Hon. Ramon Cervantes, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and Area Representative for Orange Walk North. The post Community Emergency Response teams launched in Orange Walk appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.