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But before he flew back to San Pedro to weather the storm - or probably just the rain at home, Minister Perez was in the city at an emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss Hurricane Beryl.
It served as sort of a litmus test to measure Belize's preparedness, which ultimately was a bit haphazard, especially as it related to notice of business closures as well as panic buying and price gouging.
But are residents ready financially as well? And will the government assist? Here's what Perez told us.
Andre Perez, Minister of Disaster Risk Management
"It's just that we are looking right now at the storm, I think at this point in time we can say for now we are safe but of course let's follow the reports from NEMO. Of course all of this, for us in government, and the Ministry, we take it as learning opportunities, how we can do better the next time, had it been a storm, what would have happened, you know, in terms of recovery, doing relief in the event of a storm. So right now the discussion really is to plan how we can do better in the event because as you can see, we're in the month of July, an active storm, another one coming behind possibly so it's all about putting it all on the table together and see where we can improve, where we can do better."
"With all of these, with the storms coming in, it does affect everybody finanlly, expenses you are incurring, you have to go buy food, you have to go buy, you know, you're going to be stocking up, that cost money. So through NEMO we try to do our very best to assist as best as possible especially those people most affected especially in flood prone areas that happen in Corozal and Orange Walk."
Reporter:
"What do you think of half the country basically being on standstill because there are conflicting reports of whether or not businesses should be open, the hurricane is further away from us, and now a lot of stores are closed?"
Andre Perez, Minister of Disaster Risk Management
"There are clarifications coming up right now so just be on the lookout, they're planning right now, that's what the CEO and NEC are planning right now to make something so be on the lookout, it will be released to the media as well."
