Episcopal Relief and Development has awarded $25,000 to the Diocese of Belize to respond to the destruction reeked by Hurricane Iris in October. Hurricane Iris hit the southern portion of Belize striking Stann Creek and Toledo Districts, the poorest area of the country, particularly hard. People have lost their crops, homes, clothing, and other personal property.

ERD's emergency grant will be used to support the Diocese of Belize as it responds to overwhelming needs on the ground for food, clothes, and building materials. Once the initial emergency has been addressed, the diocesan priority will be replacing and repairing school buildings in the area so that the children can return to school.

In the past three years, Episcopal Relief and Development has granted over $150,000 to Belize. Recently, ERD launched a housing reconstruction program on the island of Caye Caulker to rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Keith, which struck last year. Another ERD project, a hurricane shelter in Belmopan, Belize, was used successfully to ride out this latest storm.