Earthquake aftermath: 3,696 in shelters

The Panamanian government reported on Thursday, October 15, that there are 3,696 people temporarily located in 46 shelters set up following the 7.5-magnitude earthquake that shook the country.

Secretary of Goals, José Ramón Icaza, said that 15,139 individuals and 4,485 families have received assistance. He added that the majority of those in shelters are in the province of Veraguas.

He reported that 90% of the Ministry of Health’s medical facilities suffered minor damage. Still, at least five health centers between the provinces of Herrera and Veraguas will have to be rebuilt.

Icaza announced that the hospitals in San Félix (Chiriquí), Cecilio Castillero (Herrera), Aquilino Tejeira (Coclé) and Joaquín Franco Sayas (Los Santos) have partially resumed their operations.

In places where tents were set up, they are being replaced by more solid structures with air conditioning.

Regarding the conditions of official educational establishments, Icaza said that the Ministry of Education has inspected 500 schools and that evaluations are continuing to determine which are ready to resume in-person classes.

“The return will be gradual and announced by the Ministry of Education,” said Icaza.