By Belize Live News Staff: Douglas Village, located just north of the Albion Islands, has long faced severe flooding issues, leaving its residents vulnerable year after year. On Friday, Prime Minister John Briceno delivered a sobering message to the people of Douglas, acknowledging the recurring challenges and discussing potential long-term solutions to alleviate the village’s struggles with floodwaters.
Reflecting on the history of the area, Prime Minister Briceno recalled that even in the 1970s, efforts were made to address the persistent flooding. At the time, a new settlement called Nuevo San Juan was established in hopes of relocating Douglas residents to higher ground. “Many moved, but a lot stayed,” Briceno noted, highlighting the attachment residents have to the land despite the annual flooding risks.
Today, the government continues to allocate resources to assist Douglas during flood seasons, including ongoing health and sanitation interventions. With floodwaters submerging pit latrines, the Health Department has identified a major health hazard due to potential water contamination. Prime Minister Briceno confirmed that the government is working with representatives to improve facilities at the community center in nearby San Pablo, aiming to provide a safer, temporary shelter for residents during these crises.
Looking forward, Prime Minister Briceno shared a difficult but necessary vision for the future of Douglas Village. He raised the possibility of relocating the entire community, suggesting that in the next government term, officials may need to explore buying out residents and relocating them to safer, higher ground. “It’s not fair to Belizean taxpayers to go out every year to go out and bail out. Although we have to help them, they are our citizens, so we have to start to think about long-term solutions,” he stated.
For many villagers, however, the prospect of relocation remains a challenging proposition, as they continue to navigate the reality of life in flood-prone areas.
