PAHO Belize was honored with the Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction Award at the UK-Belize Climate and Nature Legacy Awards 2026, recognizing its leadership in strengthening climate resilience in the health sector. The award, funded by the UK Climate & Nature Diplomacy Fund and presented at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Belmopan, highlighted PAHO Belize’s efforts to make health facilities safer, greener, and more resilient to natural disasters.
The recognition particularly celebrated the SMART Hospital Initiative, first implemented in Belize and other Caribbean countries with support from the UK Department for International Development. The initiative ensures that health facilities remain operational during hurricanes, earthquakes, and other emergencies by combining structural, functional, and climate-smart upgrades.
Through this initiative, five health facilities across Belize received comprehensive improvements, including enhanced structural resilience, fire safety, water and electrical systems, infection control measures, and renovations for laboratories, pharmacies, and accessibility features. Climate-smart upgrades such as solar energy systems, rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting, and improved ventilation and waste management were also implemented to reduce environmental impact.
PAHO Belize has continued expanding these upgrades, integrating sustainable energy solutions, and training stakeholders, including civil works personnel, to strengthen capacity for climate-resilient healthcare. The SMART Hospital Initiative has established the Green Checklist and Hospital Safety Index as national standards for constructing and retrofitting health facilities in Belize.
Dr. Karen Lewis-Bell, PAHO/WHO Representative in Belize, emphasized that the award reflects the organization’s technical leadership in health emergencies and its role in ensuring continuity of essential health services during disasters. The initiative has audited 26 facilities, upgraded five to GOLD SMART standards, trained 184 personnel, installed 45 kW of solar power generating approximately USD 125,000 in annual savings, and strengthened healthcare access for over 858,000 people in the region.
