Panama's government declares a State of Emergency following the earthquake and allocates $100 million to address the damage

The Government of Panama announced the declaration of a state of emergency during a press conference led by ministers and civil protection authorities. EFE/ Bienvenido Velasco The Government of Panama declared a state of emergency to address the consequences of the earthquake that shook the country on Friday, October 9. The decision was approved by the Cabinet Council, while authorities raised the number of affected schools to 419, reported 27 people injured, and confirmed damage to 21 health facilities and more than 426 homes. The declaration of a state of emergency will allow the Government of Panama to have $100 million available to address the needs arising from the earthquake. These funds will be used to finance assistance to affected families, respond to the impacts on communities, and carry out urgent infrastructure repair and recovery work, especially in the provinces with the greatest damage. The announcement was made this Saturday during a press conference attended by ministers and representatives of emergency agencies. The declaration was adopted on the instructions of President José Raúl Mulino, after receiving reports from the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) and the various institutions working in the affected communities. The deputy director of Sinaproc, Malixi Rivera, presented the damage assessment, which includes 27 injured people, 21 damaged health facilities, and more than 426 homes evaluated. Video capture The Minister of the Presidency, Juan Carlos Orillac, explained that the priority will be to assist affected families, guarantee the availability of institutional resources, and coordinate the necessary actions to respond to the damage. The president instructed the ministers to remain active in the affected areas and to make the resources of their respective institutions available to assist the population. During the conference, the creation of a high-level commission to coordinate assistance and recovery was announced, made up of the Minister for Canal Affairs and Secretary of Goals, José Ramón Icaza; Deputy Minister Mirna Luque; and the Minister of the Presidency, Juan Carlos Orillac. This team will also participate in planning the repairs and reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by the earthquake. The Minister of Education, Ventura Vega, reported that 419 schools were affected and that it will be announced on Sunday whether classes will resume on Monday. (Screenshot from the Telemetro broadcast) As part of the response, the Executive Branch designated Omar Park, in the San Francisco township of Panama City, as a collection center to receive donations. Provincial governor's offices will also serve as reception points for food, water, basic necessities, and other supplies destined for communities requiring humanitarian assistance. The deputy general director of Panama's National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc), Malitzie Rivera, reported that no fatalities have been recorded so far as a result of the earthquake. However, authorities count 27 injured people, with injuries ranging from mild to moderate, who were transferred to medical centers for care. The report presented by Sinaproc also states that 21 health facilities were affected, so engineers and architects specialized in structures are conducting inspections to determine their condition. In parallel, emergency teams have evaluated more than 426 homes with varying levels of damage, from minor effects to the total loss of some residences. In educational matters, the Minister of Education, Ventura Vega, reported that 419 schools show damage related to the earthquake. The official recalled that immediately after the seismic event, the suspension of classes and administrative activities of the public education system was ordered as a preventive measure to protect students, teachers, and staff. Authorities will coordinate the distribution of humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by the earthquake that shook Panama. Taken from Instagram Vega announced that this Sunday, October 11, it will be announced whether classes will resume normally on Monday, October 12, throughout the national territory. The decision will depend on safety evaluations and the condition of school facilities, especially in the provinces where structural damage has been identified. Among the areas with the greatest damage are Herrera, Los Santos, and Veraguas, provinces where a significant portion of the damaged homes are concentrated. Authorities also reported situations requiring attention in island communities and hard-to-reach areas, where the delivery of humanitarian aid poses an additional challenge. One of the most delicate situations occurred on Cañas Island, where 300 people had to be evacuated due to the rise in water level associated with the seismic event. According to Sinaproc, residents are sheltered and receiving assistance, while efforts continue to guarantee the supply of medicines, food, and other essential items. Rivera indicated that damage has also been recorded in Panama, Chiriquí, Bocas del Toro, and the Ngäbe-Buglé and Emberá indigenous territories, mainly in schools and some homes. Emergency teams are conducting inspections of hospitals, homes, and schools to determine the safety of structures affected by the earthquake. AFP For this reason, response operations are not limited to the Azuero peninsula, but cover different regions of the national territory. The security efforts are also supported by 419 members of the National Border Service (Senafront), deployed in operations related to the emergency in Penonomé, Panama City, Tonosí, and Las Tablas. Their participation is part of the security and institutional support apparatus activated after the earthquake and the constant aftershocks. Sinaproc noted that in the first hours after the earthquake, humanitarian assistance operations began, with the transport of water, food, and basic necessities. These tasks are carried out in coordination with security and emergency agencies, which also participate in the evaluation of structures and care for communities. The response includes psychological support for affected people, through professionals working with families who have experienced fear, material losses, and temporary displacement. In addition, an assistance mechanism was set up for people with hearing disabilities, with sign language interpreters who facilitate the communication of emergencies to the corresponding institutions. The Secretary of Goals, José Ramón Icaza, explained that the government commission will work on two fronts simultaneously: coordinating the donations and aid received from citizens, and preparing the necessary interventions to recover the affected infrastructure. The Minister for Canal Affairs and Secretary of Goals, José Ramón Icaza, explained that a high-level commission will coordinate humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP) The emergency followed the strong seismic event recorded at 12:56 p.m. on Friday, October 9, with its epicenter on the Azuero peninsula. The numerous subsequent aftershocks have kept communities on alert, while authorities continue to update the damage assessment and evaluate the safety conditions of public and private facilities. The Government assured that it will keep the population informed about response actions, inspection results, and the measures adopted in the coming days. The immediate priority remains caring for the affected people, while the extent of the damage and the resources needed for recovery are being determined.