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And that provides all the reason to invest more in climate change resilience. That's what the IDB has done. Today the government of Belize and the IDB signed a $10 million US dollar loan contract. As it states in the release the main focus is "to reduce Belize's vulnerability to climate change and risk with the implementation of climate resilience measures in the tourism sector, and the improvement of disaster risk management governance." Here is more from the signing.

Cassandra Rogers - Country Rep., IDB
"This investment came out of the hurricane Earl in August of 2016 and the bank is very pleased to continue to support the government of Belize in that area of Climate resilience. In the context of this particular operation, we are continuing the work that we completed under the flood mitigation infrastructure program in Belize City, where we saw that as a result of the investments flood levels in Belize City will reduce during hurricane Earl. However, the studies that were conducted under that program showed that there is additional work to be done. Part of it which will be completed under this program."

Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister
"While all IDB projects in Belize are excellent projects, this one is particularly relevant, particularly useful, particularly valuable and particularly timely. So let me repeat that it gives me great pleasure to be able to sign the documents with you today and to place on record the continuing gratitude of the government of Belize to the IDB."

The program consists of two components. One will include studies and investments to reduce flooding in the Orange Street area of Belize City, Additionally, this component includes actions to control coastal erosion in Palapa Gardens beach on Caye Caulker and to reduce the impacts of intense tourism activities on the surrounding coral reef among other plans.

The second component deals with disaster risk management. The loan is for a 25-year period.