As part of its ongoing commitment to comprehensive disaster preparedness and community care, the Belize City Council’s City Emergency Management Organization (CEMO) in collaboration with  UNICEF Belize and the  Belize Red Cross Society, recently conducted a Psychological First Aid (PFA) training for key City Council staff.

This initiative specifically targeted employees who serve as first responders during emergencies and natural disasters such as hurricanes, fires, and flooding. This vital training provided staff with the tools to offer immediate emotional and psychological support to individuals affected by crises, helping reduce the impact of trauma and supporting both short- and long-term emotional recovery.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨:

✅ Provide immediate, compassionate emotional support to individuals impacted by traumatic events

🔍 Recognize common signs of psychological distress and respond effectively without causing further harm

🧒👵 Help calm and stabilize affected individuals, particularly children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups

🧩 Support long-term mental health outcomes through informed, empathetic early intervention

By integrating Psychological First Aid into our emergency response toolkit, the Belize City Council is not only strengthening the capacity of its first responders, but also reaffirming its deep commitment to holistic, community-focused disaster response. Mental health matters, especially in the aftermath of traumatic events and this training is a significant step toward ensuring that our residents feel seen, heard, and supported during their most vulnerable times.

As we continue to prepare for the hurricane season and other potential emergencies, the Belize City Council remains dedicated to building a more resilient, compassionate, and well-equipped city, where every individual’s safety and well-being, both physical and emotional, is prioritized.