United States Agency for International Development

This initiative is a part of the Evidence-based Information Management for Citizen Security in Central America and the Dominican Republic Project” (also known as the InfoSegura Project), the first regional strategic partnership of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which has been central to enhancing the capacities at key institutions ensuring the security of Belize’s citizens over the past decade.

The Government of Belize, together with the U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), inaugurated the international forum on Innovative Solutions to strengthen Citizen Security and Access to Justice. The forum was held in Umaya Resort, Placencia Village, Belize. Participating countries include Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

On August 20, 2023, a ceremony to mark the launch of a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) at the Forensic Laboratory of the National Forensic Science Service (NFSS) was held at the Radisson Hotel in Belize City. This initiative is a part of the “Evidence-based Information Management for Citizen Security in Central America and the Dominican Republic Project” (also known as the InfoSegura Project), the first regional strategic partnership of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which has been central to enhancing the capacities at key institutions ensuring the security of Belize’s citizens over the past decade.

Continuing U.S. government efforts to support improvements in Belize’s citizen security, U.S. Embassy Acting International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Coordinator Mary Walz and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Belize Deputy Resident Representative Ian King donated eight laptops to Chief Justice Louise Blenman and Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser.

The Government of the United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and UNICEF, supports Mobile Amnesty Hubs, which provide asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants with access to all services required to apply for the Amnesty Program. This initiative has assisted over 6,000 asylum seekers and migrants, who seek a pathway to regularize their immigration status in Belize.

The Ministry of Human Development, Families, and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MHDFIPA) in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) through the financial support from the European Union through its Department for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the Republic of Korea, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, and in collaboration with the United Nations Joint SDG Fund, and DigiWallet Limited have launched the Hurricane Lisa Cash Assistance Programme (HLAP). One thousand six hundred (1600) vulnerable families who are among the most affected by Hurricane Lisa received a one-time emergency cash assistance of $250.00 Belize dollars through DigiWallet.

Continuing America’s efforts to support improvements in Belize’s citizen security, U.S. Embassy Acting Political and Economic Chief Sydney Skov and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Belize Deputy Resident Representative Ian King donated Information Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries Hon. Kareem Musa on December 1, 2022.

A 52-year-old construction worker of San Pedro Town was formally arrested and charged on Tuesday, August 9th, for the crime of ‘Incest.’ The report was made on Monday, August 8th, by the victim and the mother. The victim, a 17-year-old minor, reported that her father had been having sexual intercourse with her up until she reached the age of 15.