Functions of National Coordinator

(1) The National Coordinator shall, subject to section 5 of this Act, be responsible to the Minister for co-ordinating the general policy of the Government of Belize relating to the mitigation of, preparedness for, response to, and recovery from emergencies and disasters in Belize. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, the National Coordinator shall also, (a) review and assess the various programmes and activities of the Government of Belize Disaster Preparedness and Response [CAP. 145 9 which have an impact on the mitigation of, preparedness for, response to and recovery from emergencies and disasters in Belize, and make recommendation to the Minister on the likely activities and programmes on disaster preparedness and co-ordination; (b) develop and recommend to the Minister national policies to foster and promote the mitigation of, (c) in collaboration with Government or other agencies, gather timely and authoritative information concerning the conditions and trends in the quality of the environment, both current and prospective, as these relate to the likelihood of disasters in Belize; (d) analyse and interpret the information gathered under paragraph (c) of this subsection for the purpose of determining whether such conditions and trends are interfering, or are likely to interfere, with the achievement of the mitigation of, preparedness for, response to and recovery from emergencies and disasters; (e) in collaboration with Government or other agencies, conduct investigations, studies, surveys, research and analysis relating to ecological systems and environmental quality and document and define changes in the natural environment as these relate to the likelihood of disasters in Belize; (f) prepare and review disaster risk assessment maps of Belize; 10 (g) conduct programmes of public information and education on the mitigation of, preparedness for, response to and recovery from emergencies and disasters; (h) liaise with persons and organisations within and without Belize for the purpose of exchanging information and facilitating the harmonisation of the policies of such persons and with those of the Government of Belize relating to the prevention and mitigation of, preparedness for, to and recovery from emergencies and disasters in Belize; (i) provide technical advice on draft regulations, whether under this Act or any other legislation, relating to the mitigation of, preparedness for, response to and recovery from emergencies and disasters in Belize.