Those storm-affected persons in Belize City who haven't gotten assessed yet are being referred to the Department of Human Services. And while that's the formal system, the political culture in Belize dictates that these persons go directly to their area representatives, especially if he is a member of the ruling party. We found a few dozen lining up to see Mesopotamia Representative Michael Finnegan on his clinic day today. He said he could only help by sending them to NEMO:...
Jules Vasquez
"This is the first clinic after the hurricane, why are all those people down there sir?"
Hon. Michael Finnegan
"Well I guess they were probably affected by the hurricane and they are here to see how I can probably help them."
Jules Vasquez
"But the prime minister has said that you cannot help them because NEMO can help them, but area representatives have no hurricane relief to disburse."
Hon. Michael Finnegan
"No but they are representatives who can direct them to where they ought to go."
Jules Vasquez
"Well I can also just give them the phone number on the news."
Hon. Michael Finnegan
"Yes but those people believe in their area representative and when they run into problem, they would normally try to see their area representative."
Jules Vasquez
"However, people in particularly, in your division where you are being cogent of good standing and the minister of housing expect that you will be able to give them something, direct assistance."
Hon. Michael Finnegan
"Yes but we will give them something, but we will do it through NEMO."
Jules Vasquez
"Now in the past for example with the recent flooding in October of 2015, it was a different situation that pertained. Elections were coming, they had a lot of money in PetroCaribe still and the government empowered representatives to directly assist. People will expect that same standard of service."
Hon. Michael Finnegan
"Yes but it doesn't matter Jules, the people will get assisted, I want to believe that this program will end up costing government some $12-$15 million dollars, but everybody will get assistance."
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