Government Launches Projects to Combat Toledo’s High Poverty Rate

The government has embarked on two projects geared at improving the lives of residents in the Toledo District and decreasing its high poverty rate. This morning, the government launched the Deepening Access via Rural Electrification (DARE) and the “Driving Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) projects. The initiatives, in partnership with the UNDP and UNICEF, seek to enhance access to electricity, potable water, and sanitization services in the Toledo District. Toledo has a 63% poverty rate, the highest in the country, and has long been considered the forgotten district. The projects are tailored to reduce the startling figure and improve the quality of life for rural residents. The first project will focus on electrifying communities with solar power, while the second will center on improving water and sanitation services with renewable energy. Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, and Labor, Valentino Shal, spoke on the significance of the projects and why he believes they will have a long-lasting impact. 

The projects have a combined cost of 2.5 million Belize dollars, which is being provided by the UNDP. The international organization’s Deputy Representative for Belize, Michael Lund, explained how the funds were sourced. 

The launch took place today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Belmopan.