Earlier we took you to Chan Chen, the northern most village in Belize. Well next we'll show you some of Ranchito Village. It's just outside of Corozal and residents there say that to sme extent they've been overlooked by NEMO, even with the NEMO - reloaded effort led by James Jan Mohammed. But we visited today and found that the other disciplined force, the BDF is making a difference in that small community.
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
The BDF were delivering building materials in Ranchito Village this morning This is the home of the village council secretary Andrew Rancharan.
Andrew Rancharan, Secretary- Ranchito Village
"We have a bed under this..."
Jules Vasquez,
You live in half the house.
Andrew Rancharan,
"Yes and then the little kids at the back. There are nine of us at the moment I am rescuing my son. His home had dropped over there. He was renting with his wife and a kid and right now his kid is n Patchakan. We haven't seen him for a week."
BDF Soldier,
"What we're trying to do, we're trying to assist the locals with zinc and some lumber. The reason is we're trying to get people back in their home because I know they have it rough in their shelters."
Rancharan says the relief is welcome - if a bit overdue and his village is grateful - but that doesn't mean everything is good and well.
Andrew Rancharan,
"Sir from they came they've been assisting us a lot because you could have heard on the radio a lot of people complaining that they are not getting assistance up to Friday. But from then these guys came in and started action in the village and I think half of the village at least are pleased at this moment. Right now the only thing people are complaining is they say Ranchito is getting food but a lot of people complain that they are not getting."
Jules Vasquez,
Distribution is still a problem?
Andrew Rancharan
"Still a problem because yesterday me and my brother, the Chairman, were going to NEMO and we were mentioning this problem because the people are coming to us. So we went up there. They mentioned to us that they were on the 26th and they shared the rations but then three quarter of our village are complaining that they have not gotten so these are the problems we are facing at the moment."
The BDF has groups of soldiers doing similar work in Progresso, Copper Bank, Libertad, Ranchito, and tomorrow in Concepcion.
