Belize declares national emergency

Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow has declared a national emergency following the deaths of five people, including three children, following the heavy rains caused by Tropical Storm Arthur.



The storm also destroyed some sections of the island.



The system, which emerged in the Caribbean last Saturday but dissipated by the following day, dumped heavy rainfall on Belize that resulted in rivers in the north and south of the country overflowing their banks.



As the country assesses the damage and the search for other missing people continue, Prime Minister Barrow said the Stann Creek District and that portion of the Belize district around Gales Point have been declared disaster areas.



The Prime Minister said the focus is now on getting relief aid, including food, water, clothing and blankets to those persons as soon as possible.