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PADF Supports Drainage Works along Flamingo, Garcia and Western Streets in San Ignacio Town, Belize

San Ignacio, Cayo (October 23, 2020) – The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), the Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development, and the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Council (SISE TC) signed an in-kind agreement valued at over US$19,000 to further equip local and central government with drainage works in San Ignacio. Over the past 13 months PADF, with the support of the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), has been implementing the “Flood Risk Reduction Project for San Ignacio and Santa Elena Towns” to strengthen flood management capabilities in the municipality.

“Improving our drainage infrastructure is an important component of building our resilience to the devastating impacts of climate change. This partnership helps us to make an important stride in this direction,” said the Honorable Dr. Omar Figueroa, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development (MFFESD).

“We are thankful once again to PADF and Taiwan through the MFFESD who is aptly represented here today by the Minister Dr. Omar Figueroa for their continuing efforts at assisting the SISE TC and the residents of our beautiful twin towns in the Council’s efforts at saving lives and property through flood mitigation. This donation will be pooled with labour and equipment provided by the Council to enhance the drains and culverts along Flamingo, Garcia and Western Streets in San Ignacio Town to make them more resistant to flooding in that area. This donation is the result of the partnership that exists among PADF, the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and the Government of (GoB) over the last two years on flood mitigation in our municipality, “ said his Lordship Earl Trapp, Mayor of San Ignacio and Santa Elena.

“The collaboration among partners like local and central government in Belize continue to support PADF’s mission in this region for making our community more resilient and working towards a shared vision for the greater good of our residents to save lives and properties through more effective disaster risk management,” said Dr. Minerva Pinelo, PADF Project Director in Belize.

Both local and central government are presently working to minimize the effects of natural disasters through geographical information systems, flood controls, and improved structural measures, such as culverts and drains, that will significantly break through bottlenecks, change flow conditions, improve cross-sections, and enhance flood discharge capacity at specific locations within the Twin Towns. PADF’s in-kind donation supports a sub-component of the central government’s project entitled “Belize Urban Resilience and Disaster Prevention Project.” This consists of the construction of 300 feet of culverts and drains, along Flamingo, Garcia and Western Streets in San Ignacio Town.

The drainage improvements are expected to be completed by November 30, 2020 and reduce flood risks for over 600 households – approximately 3,000 individuals.

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