by Kristen Ku
BELIZE CITY, Wed. June 21, 2023
The Belize government has announced the appointment of Captain (Retired) Daniel Mendez as the new National Emergency Coordinator for the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) as the country prepares itself for any threats to emerge during the Atlantic Hurricane Season 2023, which started at the beginning of this month.
The first storm to form this season, Tropical Storm Bret, is expected to strengthen as it approaches the Lesser Antilles. Currently, the storm is about 1,130 miles east of the southern Windward Islands and is expected to approach the Lesser Antilles later this week.
Meteorologists predict that Bret could evolve into the first hurricane of the season, placing Belize in a state of heightened preparedness.
Mendez, the husband of the Governor General, Dame Froyla Tzalam, takes over the critical role that was previously held by Shelton Defour. He comes with an impressive background of over 20 years of experience in leadership, crisis, and disaster management, having previously worked with the Belize Defence Force and the Peace Corps.
In a press release, the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management stated, “Mr. Mendez will lead the implementation of Belize’s comprehensive disaster management policies and strengthen disaster and hazard preparedness and response to reduce overall risk and resiliency in Belize.”
Having previously served as the Disaster Risk Management Specialist at the ministry, Mendez was instrumental in coordinating the development of Belize’s first Post-Disaster Needs Assessment.
He holds a Master of Science in Risk, Crisis, and Disaster Management from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies.
In addition to his professional roles, Mendez has made significant contributions to Belize’s security and disaster management sectors. Via his company, the Belize Security Research Group, he helped create the Belize Joint Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Programme.
He was also a co-consultant in the preparation of the Protocol for the Integrated Protection of Children and Adolescents in Disaster Situations in Belize.