Belize
Water in Developing Countries
Climate
Belize has a very comfortable tropical climate with an average yearly temperature of 84° F (29°C). Even in winter the temperature in Belize rarely falls below 60°F (16°C), while throughout summer the temperature is around 86°F (30°C). Humidity is also fairly consistent at around 85 percent. The Dry season is between February and May during which there is significant less rain fall compared to the rest of the year. During hurricane season floods and hurricanes frequent Belize.
Population: 331,900 (2013)
Water Problems
About Their Problems
Their main source of water is rain water.
How do they get water?
They collect rain waters and some store it in town water towers where available.
What is the quality of water they have?
Their water is not clean or free from dirt, bacteria, parasites, or deadly E-coli. During devastating floods or hurricanes the water supply can easily be contaminated further.
The Help They Need
Water resources management in Belize is attempted be carried out. One of the primary challenges the country is facing with regard to water resources management, however, is the lack of coordinated and comprehensive policies and institutions.
What programs are helping and how?
- Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) / World Health Organization (WHO) supports and assists the Belizean Government. In the late 1990s there was a water quality program that embarked on three areas:
- bacteriological quality of drinking water
- the national drinking water standards
- water quality monitoring and effluents.
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has assisted the government in providing safe water from taps and hand pumps and in the construction of latrines in rural areas.