The hidden impact of climate change on children with disabilities in Belize
Champions for Children Op-Ed Series
Children with disabilites in times of emergencies
As the international community celebrates December 3rd as the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, Belize has an opportunity to reflect on its progress—and the urgent work still needed—to safeguard the rights and dignity of children with disabilities, especially in the face of climate change. This year, as we also mark the 35th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), we must center these vulnerable young citizens in national policies and recognize them as a priority for inclusive and sustainable development. As a part of UNICEF's Champions for Children Op-Ed Series, I am collaborating with UNICEF, using my voice to raise awareness and encourage discourse in the public domain for their inclusion.
Belize’s climate vulnerabilities are evident: increasingly severe hurricanes, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events disproportionately impact our most marginalized populations. With each threat or passing of a storm or hurricane, the need to prepare and respond to the specialized needs of persons with disabilities is paramount to reduce their vulnerabilities in those moments of crisis. Among these, children with disabilities stand out as particularly at risk. Yet, critical gaps in infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and social support systems leave them invisible in the national discourse on climate resilience.
Take, for example, the state of hurricane shelters across the country. Most remain inadequately equipped to accommodate persons with disabilities, much less provide the specialized care and accessibility these children require in times of crisis. National Emergency Coordinator for NEMO Daniel Mendez explained that many of the country’s emergency shelters are schools or other multi-use buildings that were not purpose-built for this role. This creates ongoing challenges, particularly in meeting the needs of persons with disabilities. Issues like inadequate bathroom facilities and limited accessibility require urgent attention.
Currently, Belize has over 400 emergency shelters spread across the country, ranging from schools to churches and other buildings. However, only a handful, such as the Inspiration Centre and an educational facility in Belize City, are equipped to adequately serve persons with disabilities.
What makes a shelter inclusive?
Evan Cowo is the community-based rehabilitation manager at The Inspiration Centre, an outpatient rehabilitation center for children with disabilities. He’s witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by persons with disabilities during natural disasters. Two years ago, when Hurricane Lisa struck, the situation highlighted serious gaps in the country’s preparedness for special needs shelters. It’s a common misconception that simply making shelters accessible, such as installing ramps for wheelchairs, is enough. But the reality is far more complex. While accessibility is critical, we must consider the full range of needs for persons with disabilities.
What makes a shelter equipped? I asked Mr. Cowo, of the Inspiration Center, to unpack the specifications for me. Here's what I learnt?
- Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
Bathrooms must be wide enough for wheelchair users to access, and the shelter itself should be equipped with proper beds—something that is often overlooked.
- Safe and timely access to health care services and practitioners
Having a medical doctor on-site at all times is essential for ensuring proper care during emergencies. But the challenges go beyond physical infrastructure.
- On-site mental health and psychosocial support
One of the biggest concerns is the issue of mental health. Persons with mental health challenges are often brought to special needs shelters, and this presents security concerns. According to Cowo, last year, the police assisted in managing this by ensuring that those with mental health issues were placed in separate rooms and monitored closely. Without this, there would have been significant security risks.
- Priority access to shelters
Shelters for persons with disabilities and children should be open before other shelters. This will give persons like Cowo time to prepare, settle in, and assess the needs of each individual.
- Accessible transportation for evacuation
Transportation is another critical issue. Wheelchair-accessible transportation must be available to ensure timely evacuation.
- Appropriate standards
When persons with disabilities are brought to shelters, they cannot simply be placed on the floor. They need proper beds, particularly since some may have medical conditions like bed sores that require immediate attention.
As Belize faces more frequent and severe natural disasters due to climate change, the need for inclusive disaster preparedness has never been more urgent. Children and individuals with disabilities are among the most vulnerable groups in these situations, and fragmented planning and inadequate resources will only exacerbate their challenges.
While the Inspiration Centre has been designated as a disaster shelter, Belize still has a long way to go in terms of disaster preparedness for people with disabilities. Executive Director Jocelyn Lopez shared that the center is equipped with wheelchair-accessible vans, buses, and appropriate space, including accessible bathrooms and a small kitchenette. The building is sturdy enough to withstand hurricanes, but it remains one of the few inclusive shelters available in the country.
The Integrated Protection of Children and Adolescents in times of Emergencies and Disaster Situations
However, things are changing!
Last year, the government signed the regional protocol for the protection of children in disaster situations in collaboration with UNICEF.
This protocol is being integrated into NEMO’s operational plans to ensure that the needs of children are addressed comprehensively. It is imperative that we look at vulnerable groups—children and persons with disabilities—not as afterthoughts but as priorities in disaster management.
This year, the government also took a significant step by passing the Disabilities Bill, 2024, a long-overdue piece of legislation aimed at promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. A key feature of the legislation is the establishment of a Disabilities and Equal Rights Tribunal. Lead Government Senator, Eamon Courtenay, said that the legislation is designed to protect the rights of the differently-abled. It addresses key areas such as access to education, healthcare, employment, social inclusion, and overall empowerment. A commission composed of representatives from various stakeholders and organisations will be established to oversee its implementation. This commission will be tasked with formulating policies and recommending additional legislation to improve the living conditions of people with disabilities.
As a journalist my job is to ask the questions! I pondered...will shelters be considered? Will funding and technical expertise be allocated to retrofit existing shelters and design new ones that meet these standards? Will children with disabilities be factored into evacuation plans, and will their caregivers receive adequate support? The answers to these questions will determine whether the legislation becomes a transformative tool for inclusion or another policy that fails to meet its full potential.
Kenrick Theus, President of the Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities, also had some questions when I spoke to him in the weeks leading up to his unfortunate passing. While the bill has been passed since, Theus argued that it is not truly "live" until the necessary infrastructure—such as a tribunal, a secretariat, and appointed officials—are established. Without these key components in place, the legislation's potential remains unfulfilled. Theus believed the government should already have appointed the necessary commission and set up the structures for implementation, as the bill has already passed through the House and Senate.
Again, the answers to these questions will determine whether the legislation becomes a transformative tool for inclusion or another policy that fails to meet its full potential.
Belize signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in May 2011 and ratified it just a month later, setting a precedent for quick action. Yet, over a decade later, the country is still waiting for the implementation of laws that are supposed to protect and support persons with disabilities.
Theus’ message was clear: action is needed now, not just on paper but in tangible steps to ensure that people with disabilities are given the support, protections, and opportunities they deserve. It's a message he championed until his untimely death which occurred while travelling to Panama to represent Belize and continue this advocacy.
A Situational Analysis for Children with Disabilites
Despite these challenges, there are glimmers of progress.
The Government of Belize in partnership with UNICEF, is developing a situational analysis for children with disabilities. This initiative, which will gather critical data on the lived experiences of these children, is an important step toward evidence-based policymaking. For too long, the lack of data has hindered the ability to craft targeted interventions.
The CRC, to which Belize is a signatory, explicitly recognises the rights of children to protection, survival, and development. Article 23 of the Convention calls for the “special care” of children with disabilities, and Article 24 emphasises their right to the highest attainable standard of health. As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of this landmark treaty, Belize must recommit to these principles by ensuring that climate policies and child rights agendas intersect in meaningful ways.
An inclusive approach to climate resilience starts with listening to the voices of children with disabilities and their families. It requires proactive investments in inclusive infrastructure, such as accessible hurricane shelters and schools that can double as safe spaces during emergencies. It demands that the Disability Bill be fully operationalised and that its promises translate into tangible benefits for children across urban and rural Belize.
It calls for us to embrace a cultural shift—one that sees children with disabilities not as burdens but as full citizens with immense potential. They are not just victims of climate change but also agents of resilience, capable of contributing to solutions if given the right support and opportunities. Disasters do not discriminate, but their effects are felt most deeply by those already facing challenges.
Hipolito Novelo (Digital Editor, News 5 Belize)
Hipolito Novelo is an award-winning journalist from Belize. With over twelve years in the field, Hipolito has worked in broadcast journalism, radio, and print and is now the Digital Editor at Great Belize Productions (News 5 Belize). Hipolito specialises in the analysis of complex social and political issues. His work includes correspondence for the New York Times and collaborations with Dorothy St. Pictures, Discovery+, Campside Media, and The Guardian UK. To stay current, Hipolito acquired skills in data analysis, multimedia production, and social media management, enhancing his ability to tell engaging and impactful stories. Hipolito has participated in professional development programmes, including business journalism training by the Media Institute of the Caribbean and sessions from the Inter-American Development Bank, the Institute of the Americas, the Young Reporters Programme, CNN, and the Foreign Press Centres (US Department of State). His journalism increasingly focuses on climate change, exploring its intersection with economic inequality and global governance. He is also a mentor for Climate Tracker. He supports and trains journalists in climate reporting in the region. Additionally, Hipolito is the country focal point for the Caribbean Youth Climate Council (CYCC).
