It’s been a hot year in Belize, the small coastal Central American country that borders Guatemala, Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The end of the dry season was characterized by an intense drought, which led to wildfires throughout the south of the country.  

In early June 2024, after officials declared a state of emergency in the Toledo and Cayo districts, the Belize Red Cross activated emergency plans to support the government and assist 28 affected communities. 

The Toledo district is one of Belize's most diverse regions, with people speaking a wide range of languages, from Mayan to Q'eqchi', English, Spanish, and Creole. Most people in the villages around Punta Gorda, the biggest town in the district, are farmers who grow cacao, corn, and tree resin (copal) to sell in local markets.  

The wildfires that began in May have burned over 10,000 hectares, wiping out fields of crops and impacting some 400 families in 36 Punta Gorda communities, including San Pedro Columbia and Otoxhal. 

Since the emergency began, the Toledo Branch of the Belize Red Cross has distributed meals to firefighters, assessed damage and needs, and provided first aid to community members, among other things. The response has been supported by an allocation from the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF). 

Volunteers from the Belize Red Cross distribute essential food and cleaning kits to 29 families in the Otoxhal community, close to the Guatemala border, following drought and wildfires that upended life in this heavily agricultural area.

Photo: María Victoria Langman/IFRC

“Every family has different needs, and we truly believe that they know what they need first.” 

A man from San Pedro Columbia village uses vouchers provided by the IFRC and the Belize Red Cross at a local businesses in order to buy tools, seeds, and other implements that will help them recover their livelihoods.

Photo: María Victoria Langman/IFRC

Farmers from San Pedro Columbia and other villages in Toledo received a voucher to use at two local farm supply stores. On distribution days, volunteers were in the stores to answer questions while staff from the stores were also trained to help farmers use their vouchers for the best outcomes. 

Many communities also organized themselves to support the response. In San Pedro Columbia, one of the villages in Toledo, local farmers formed a fire brigade to help control the fires. 

Cirilia, the leader of the fire brigades, is one of those farmers who used vouchers to buy farm supplies. A single mother of three, Cirilia says she will replant her farm with fruits like cacao, mango, and avocado, while also taking steps to prepare for potential future emergencies. 

“I’m sketching my plans and thinking ahead to minimize the impact of disasters. I’m determined to be proactive so I can protect my farm and family,’ explains Cirilia. “I’m also planning to expand into other crops, like vanilla, and explore new possibilities for my farm. I’ll be buying seeds, especially vegetable seeds, because my kids love gardening. I also plan to get gardening tools and equipment to use on the farm.” 

Cirilia is a farmer and a single mother of three, who formed a fire brigade to support those putting out the fire. With this voucher assistance, she'll be able to take action on recovering her farm, make a business plan, and continue with her crops.

Photo: María Victoria Langman/IFRC

As part of the Belize Red Cross’s response to the fires, volunteers have also distributed food, hygiene, and cleaning kits in numerous villages. While the wildfires in Belize tested the resilience of communities across the Toledo District, they also revealed the strength and determination of the people affected.  

From forming fire brigades to reimagining their farms, individuals like Cirilia have shown that recovery is about more than rebuilding—it's about creating something stronger and more sustainable over the long term.