The Government of Panama declared a state of emergency to address the damage caused by the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that shook the country on Friday, October 9, a measure that will allow US$100 million to assist affected communities and repair infrastructure.
The decision was approved by the Cabinet Council on instructions from President José Raúl Mulino, after receiving reports from the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) and other institutions deployed in the affected areas.
The balance sheet presented by the authorities reports 27 injured persons, 21 health facilities affected, more than 426 houses evaluated and 419 educational centres damaged. No fatalities had been reported to date.
The resources provided will be used to assist families affected, respond to the needs of communities and carry out urgent repair and recovery work, especially in the most affected provinces.
Government coordinates assistance and reconstruction
During a press conference on Saturday, the President, Juan Carlos Orillac, explained that the priority is to care for the families concerned, to guarantee institutional resources and to coordinate the actions necessary to respond to the emergency.
As part of the response, the Government established a high-level commission composed of the Minister for Canal Affairs and Secretary of Metas, José Ramón Icaza, and Deputy Minister Mirna Luque, and Orillac. The team will coordinate humanitarian assistance and repair and reconstruction planning.
In addition, the Executive set up Omar Park in the San Francisco Correction in Panama City as a collection centre for receiving donations. Provincial governorates will also function as reception points for food, water and other essential items.
Schools and hospitals under evaluation
In the education sector, the Minister of Education, Ventura Vega, reported that 419 schools have earthquake-related effects. Following the teluric movement, the authorities ordered the suspension of the classes and administrative activities of the public education system as a preventive measure.
Vega announced that on Sunday, October 11, it will be reported whether the classes will resume on Monday, 12, a decision that will depend on the security assessments of the facilities.
In the area of health, engineers and specialized architects inspect the 21 facilities concerned to determine their structural conditions. In addition, emergency teams have assessed more than 426 housing units, some with minor damage and others with more severe effects.
The provinces with the greatest damage include Herrera, Los Santos and Veraguas. There have also been reports of affections in Panama, Chiriquí, Bocas del Toro and the Ngäbe-Buglé and Emberá.
Evacuate 300 people on the island of Cañas
One of the situations that required attention was the evacuation of 300 people on the island of Cañas, due to the increase in the water level associated with the seismic event. According to Sinaproc, the residents were put on guard and received assistance.
The operations also include the transfer of food, water and other supplies, as well as psychological support for people affected by fear, material loss and temporary displacement.
The work is carried out by emergency and security agencies. In addition, 419 members of the National Border Service (Senenface) were deployed in emergency-related operations in Penonomé, Panama City, Tonosí and Las Tablas.
The earthquake was recorded at 12: 56 p.m. on Friday, October 9, with epicenter on the Azuero peninsula. Subsequent replicas have kept communities on alert, while authorities continue to inspect structures and update the damage balance.
The Panamanian Government indicated that it will continue to report on response and recovery measures. The priority for the moment is to assist the people concerned and to identify the interventions necessary to restore damaged infrastructure.
