NEMO and CDEMA Strengthen Regional Disaster Preparedness Partnership

Recently, CDEMA Deputy Executive Director, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, paid a working visit to the Belize National Emergency Management Organization, NEMO, headquarters in Belmopan. During the engagement, Lt. Col. Craig provided an in-depth overview of CDEMA’s mandate, which includes coordinating disaster management efforts among its Participating States, supporting preparedness and mitigation programmes, and providing technical and operational assistance before, during, and after disasters. He also outlined the range of regional programmes available to Belize, including training initiatives, response coordination mechanisms, and capacity-building support designed to strengthen national systems. Discussions with NEMO focused on enhancing coordination between national and regional structures, particularly in the areas of disaster risk reduction, emergency response planning, and the integration of technology and innovation to improve early warning systems and situational awareness. Both sides also explored ways to further strengthen information sharing and operational efficiency during disaster events. The engagement reaffirmed the longstanding working relationship between NEMO and CDEMA, which has been critical during past hurricane seasons and other natural hazard events affecting Belize. Over the years, the partnership has supported emergency response operations, damage assessments, relief coordination, and training exercises aimed at improving national readiness. Officials from both organizations emphasized that as climate-related risks continue to intensify across the Caribbean, stronger regional collaboration is essential.