Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Belize responds to Haiti disaster

On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 the country of Haiti experienced a 7.0-magnitude earthquake, reportedly the country’s worst in two centuries. The quake struck about 10 miles, south-west of the capital, Port-au-Prince and was quickly followed by two aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude.

The catastrophe has resulted in the death of many Haitian and foreign citizens including UN peace keeping personnel who perished with the collapse of the UN headquarters in the country. The Red Cross reports that possibly three million people have been affected.

The Government of Belize is closely monitoring the situation in Haiti to identify how best to coordinate its assistance to the relief and reconstruction efforts of our CARICOM sister nation, including a possible collective approach with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CEDEMA) and the US Southern Command based in Honduras

1st visit to Ambergris Caye - 25lbs permit caught

El Pescador fishing guide Tomas was ready for work. He took out first time to Ambergris Caye visitors Amy and Henry Stanley. The couple who is originally from Chillicothe, Ohio took to the Belizean waters. After a long fight, Amy pulled in a 25 pound permit from the waters.

Congratulations to Victoria House!

VICTORIA HOUSE was voted as the WINNER for this year´s Condé Nast Johansens Awards of Excellence, in the category of: *MOST EXCELLENT BEACH RESORT
For Mexico & Central America
The Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence are made annually to those properties worldwide that represent the finest standards and best value for money in luxury and independent accommodation.

Hundreds feared dead in Haiti earthquake

A 7.1 earthquake off Haiti has caused major damage and death in the poor Caribbean island and resulted in the Northern Caribbean being placed under a tsunami watch. While the country is without electrical supply due to the widespread damages, it is believe that by dawn, death tolls will rise as rescue efforts intensify. According to various streaming news outlets in Haiti, screams and cries for help could be heard as a hospital and other buildings collapsed, burying people under the rubble.
Residents reported seeing houses crumbling on the streets, while others told reports on site that they had seen other homes falling into a ravine during the 4:53 pm quake which was centered about 10 miles south-west of Port-au-Prince. The magnitude of the tremor was initially indicated to be 7.3 but was soon after revised to 7.0. It was followed by a 5.9 magnitude aftershock and another of 5.5 magnitudes. The quake triggered a tsunami watch which is in effect for Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas, but the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no indication that a tsunami had been generated. The Center added that experts believe that areas further from the epicenter could experience small sea level changes and strong or unusual coastal currents.
According to multiple news report, the presidential palace in Port-Au-Prince collapsed and many other public buildings across the capital were destroyed. Reports from Haiti is that other structures that collapsed include those housing the finance ministry, the ministry of public works, the ministry of communication and culture, the parliament building and a cathedral in the capital.
A Miami Herald journalist stated in a report that President Rene Preval has escaped unhurt, but no official word has come out from Haiti. The earthquake also destroyed the headquarters of the United Nations’ peacekeeping mission on the island.
For its part the President of the United States of America, Barrack Obama issued a statement saying the US "stood ready" to help the people of Haiti and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the US will provide both military and civilian aid.
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, and one of the poorest of the world.