Across the rural landscapes of Belize, access to consistent, clean water has long been a daily gamble for thousands of residents, exacerbated by worsening climate volatility that brings longer droughts and more unpredictable rainfall patterns. Now, a landmark $10 million international climate adaptation initiative is set to transform this reality for four vulnerable communities, bringing solar-powered innovation and holistic water management to the region.
Approved in October 2025, the five-year Solar Ecosystem Adaptation for Water Security (SEAM) project targets four high-need communities: Boom Creek, Dolores, Otoxha, and Copper Bank. When fully implemented, the initiative will expand improved water access to more than 1,800 rural residents, offering a long-term solution to growing climate-related water insecurity that has threatened livelihoods and public health for years.
Dr. Juana Garcia Saqui, project coordinator at Belize’s Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), framed SEAM as a transformative milestone for the country’s climate resilience and rural development progress.
“This isn’t just a one-off infrastructure project,” Dr. Garcia Saqui explained. “We’re tackling the core challenge of reliable safe water access amid climate change by integrating multiple solutions into one cohesive strategy: cutting-edge solar technology, large-scale ecosystem restoration, inclusive community governance, and support for sustainable livelihoods.”
Half of the project’s $10 million budget comes from the Adaptation Fund, a global climate finance body that supports developing countries in building climate resilience. This marks the third time the Adaptation Fund has backed Belize’s national efforts to strengthen climate preparedness across vulnerable regions. PACT leads implementation of the initiative in partnership with Belize’s Ministry of Rural Transformation, which oversees on-the-ground execution.
Carlos Pol, CEO of Belize’s Ministry of Economic Transformation, emphasized that the project goes far beyond installing new water infrastructure. The core of the project is the design and construction of hybrid solar-powered water systems that will deliver a consistent, sustainable water supply to all residents across the four target communities.
In addition to new water infrastructure, SEAM includes targeted ecosystem rehabilitation work designed to protect long-term water resources. These efforts cover watershed restoration, large-scale reforestation, and agroforestry initiatives that not only safeguard water supplies but also support livelihoods, with a particular focus on lifting up women and other marginalized vulnerable groups in the target communities.
“Through SEAM, these communities are no longer just coping with water scarcity,” Pol noted. “They’re building a future where water access is certain, where systems are resilient rather than fragile, and where all residents can count on this fundamental resource to thrive.”
This report is a transcript of a televised evening news broadcast, with Kriol-language statements transcribed using a standardized spelling system for accessibility.