One month after a powerful earthquake struck central Panama, more than 2,700 people remain in 100 temporary shelters, with thousands of homes destroyed and many families facing months before they can return home. As the Government of Panama advances a major reconstruction effort, with 1,300 new homes already under construction, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is calling for additional resources to help displaced families access safe shelter, repair damaged homes and recover while permanent housing is being built.
"The reconstruction efforts led by the Government of Panama represent an important step towards helping families rebuild their lives, but for many of those affected, the impact of the earthquake is far from over," said Denisse Velázquez, IOM Chief of Mission in Panama. "As recovery progresses, we need to ensure families have safe places to stay and the support they need while reconstruction continues. With additional resources, we can reach more families, improve conditions in temporary shelters and help them move towards lasting recovery."
The magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Azuero Peninsula on 9 October. It hit hardest in rural communities in Los Santos, Herrera, and Veraguas. As of 2 November, Panama's National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC) had inspected nearly 20,000 homes, finding that 4,600 had been completely destroyed.
The Government of Panama has announced plans to build 2,700 new homes for families who lost theirs, with additional housing expected as damage assessments continue. Around 1,300 homes are already under construction, with the final homes expected to be handed over by March 2027. In the meantime, many families will continue to require temporary accommodation and continued assistance in the months ahead.
Since the earthquake, IOM teams have been working closely with affected communities to better understand their needs and the challenges preventing them from returning home. Some families remain on their land while their homes need repairs. Others are staying temporarily near their properties and may be able to return as reconstruction progresses. For those whose homes have been destroyed, finding a safe and lasting housing solution will take considerably longer.
To help families meet their immediate needs, IOM, in coordination with United Nations and civil society partners, has delivered 1,150 relief items, including mattresses, cots, tents, blankets and flashlights to some of the hardest-hit communities. Distributions were carried out in coordination with local governments and community representatives.
IOM teams have also provided individual and group mental health and psychosocial support and trained local responders in Los Santos, Herrera and Veraguas to help communities cope with stress and loss and strengthen local capacity to support affected families.
Drawing on its experience responding to earthquakes and other disasters across the Americas and globally, IOM is appealing for additional funding to expand its assistance to earthquake-affected families and support the Government-led recovery effort. The funding would help improve living conditions in temporary shelters, support repairs to damaged homes and assist authorities in identifying longer-term housing solutions for families unable to return home in the near future.
Additional support is critical to sustaining assistance in the coming months, as families move from emergency shelter towards more permanent solutions. As part of the coordinated UN response, IOM will continue working alongside national and local authorities, affected communities and humanitarian partners to complement ongoing reconstruction efforts and help displaced families rebuild their lives.
