In Belize, the value of early warnings is now being shown not only through the lives and livelihoods they help protect, but also through the economic benefits they bring.
Two socio-economic benefit analyses, assessing the National Meteorological Service of Belize (NMSB) and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), respectively, demonstrate how forecasts, warnings, and emergency coordination work together to reduce losses and strengthen national resilience.
Together, the analyses show that the value of early warnings lies in the strength of the whole system. Accurate forecasts and official warnings are essential, but their impact depends on the actions that follow: how information is communicated, how institutions coordinate their response, and how quickly communities and authorities can take action.
This is especially important in Belize, where hurricanes, floods, droughts, and other weather- and climate-related hazards can affect communities, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, transport, water management, and the wider economy.
The National Meteorological Service of Belize plays a key role in this system by providing forecasts, warnings, and climate information that support decision-making across government, communities, and key economic sectors. Its services are used in disaster management, aviation, marine operations, agriculture, tourism, water management, and transport.
The analysis for the NMSB found that every Belize Dollar (BZD) invested in the service brings an estimated BZD 3.30 to BZD 6.80 in economic and social benefits.
The analysis for NEMO focused on the value of emergency management and national coordination. It found that every Belize Dollar invested in NEMO brings an estimated BZD 6.42 in avoided economic losses.
NEMO helps to ensure that warnings lead to action. Its role includes coordinating preparedness, supporting response planning, helping organize evacuations, working with other agencies, and supporting communities before and during emergencies.
The two analyses are important because they look at different but connected parts of the same early warning chain. The NMSB provides the forecasts and official warnings, while NEMO helps ensure that these warnings are understood, shared, and acted upon.
The findings provide Belize with clear evidence to support future investment in early warning systems, weather services, and disaster risk reduction. They can also support national budget discussions and help mobilize funding from donors, climate funds, and development partners.
The work also shows how complementary support can be used to achieve greater impact. The analysis for NEMO was supported through the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) Initiative's Accelerated Support Window for Belize project, implemented by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in close collaboration with national partners. The analysis for the NMSB was supported by the UK Met Office , London Economics , and the UK Voluntary Cooperation Programme . Together, these two funding streams helped produce a stronger and more complete evidence base for investment across the full early warning chain.
Belize's experience shows that investing in early warnings is not only an investment in forecasts and systems. It is an investment in safety, resilience, and sustainable development.
