Belmopan, 24 August 2012.- The European Union, through the European Commission and its Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO), expresses its solidarity with the victims of Hurricane Ernesto in Belize. As a major contributor to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Commission has agreed to use 32,335 EUR of its DREF contribution to help bring relief to the victims. The aid will be used to replenish stocks and to provide food, water and relief items to the most affected people.

La Tormenta Tropical Ernesto continúa su desplazamiento por costas del océano Atlántico en dirección hacia Belice, ubicándose la mañana de hoy aproximadamente a 500 kilómetros al Este-Noreste de Puerto Barrios, Izabal, con un desplazamiento hacia el Oeste a una velocidad de 20 kilómetros por hora.

This report covers the period 01 January 2011 to 30 June 2011.

In brief

Programme outcome: the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies‘ secretariat (IFRC) is committed to supporting the National Societies to do more, do better and reach further in order to address the humanitarian challenges faced by the Red Cross Societies in the Americas. The support provided by the IFRC‘s Americas zone office focuses on mainstreaming compliance with the Inter-American Plan and working towards full alignment with the IFRC‘s Strategy 2020.

Message: Tropical Storm Harvey has been downgraded to a Tropical Depression as it leaves Belize and moves across southern Yucatan. Tropical Storm Irene passes south of Saint Kitts and Nevis, threatens the Lesser Antilles as it moves towards Haiti (Hispaniola).

Event

Message: The centre of Tropical Storm Harvey made landfall near the Town of Dangriga at approximately 12:00 p.m. local time (2:00 p.m. EST), with maximum winds of around 60 mph. All clear declared at 5.00pm local time.

Event

Tropical Storm Harvey passed over southern Belize on Saturday, August 20, 2011 with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph with higher gusts. The centre of the storm passed just north of the town of Dangriga and moved inland over the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts.

TEGUCIGALPA — Central American emergency services were on alert Saturday as Tropical Storm Harvey -- forecast to turn into a full-fledged hurricane -- barreled across the Caribbean and gathered strength.

By 1200 GMT, Harvey was around 105 miles (170 kilometers) southeast of Belize City, with maximum sustained winds of 60 miles (95 kilometers) per hour.

It was moving westward at 12 miles (19 kilometers) per hour, the Miami-based US National Hurricane Center said, predicting "hurricane conditions" along part of the Belize coast later on Saturday.

By NEMO Infornation Unit

Aug 20, 2011, 11:00 am

National Emergency Management Organization

“Preserving Life and Property”

DATE: Saturday, 20th August 2011 TIME: 11:00 am

NEMO PRESS RELEASE #4

GLIDE n° TC-2010-000221-BLZ

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation’s disaster response system and increases the ability of National Societies to respond to disasters.