OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Panama: Floods
30 November 2006


This situation report is based on information received from the OCHA
Regional Office in Panama.

Situation

1. Strong rains across Panama since 19 November have caused major
flooding in the west of Panama Province, the west of Columbus Province
and across Cocle Province.  Access to many of the affected areas remains
difficult, and 22 affected communities remain completely cut off.

2. Areas of Costa Abajo in Colon; Northern Cocle and parts of the north,
west, and east of the province of Panam=E1 remain on Red Alert for the
next 72 hours.  A Green Alert is in place for the Northern Coast of
Veraguas and the Coasts of Bocas del Toro, as light to moderate rains
are forecasted to continue in most regions.

3. To date the flooding has caused 11 deaths, and resulted in 4,530
affected people, of which 1290 are currently homeless.  Over 260 houses
have been destroyed, roads and bridges have been damaged, and there have
been crop and livestock losses.  Reports also indicate that 53 schools,
with 1598 students, and 5 health posts have been affected.  Secondary
health threats from insufficient potable water and sanitation risks
cannot be ruled out.

National and International Response

4. Panama's National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC) has been
activated, with 9 collection centers and 13 distribution centers now
established.  A total of 552 people have been evacuated from affected
areas, of which 344 are housed in 3 temporary shelters.  Search and
Rescue activities are ongoing, and Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs)
have been established in Capira, Columbus and Cocle.  Bad weather is
however hindering helicopter access to some affected areas and delaying
the delivery of assistance.

5. The United Nations Emergency Technical Team (UNETE) was activated on
November 23rd and has been coordinating with SINAPROC.  UNETE has
undertaken an assessment of 2 EOCs.  UNICEF has supplied these EOCs with
oral rehydration salts, water purification tablets and collapsible
jerrycans.  UNETE has also provided technical support on a planned Rapid
Needs Assessment, and will remain on standby to further support SINAPROC
if and when required.  No formal request for international assistance
has been received from the Panamanian government.

6. The Red Cross Society of Panama, with the assistance of the
Federation's Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU), has identified
500 flood-affected families in the provinces of Colon, Cocle and Panama
West. On 26 November, 250 of these families received a distribution of
blankets and food parcels.  Further assistance to the 500 families,
including additional family food parcels and hygiene kits, is planned
for the beginning of December.

7. Bilateral assistance has been provided by the United States Embassy,
and by the Japanese and Spanish Cooperation Agencies.

8. OCHA Geneva is in close contact with the OCHA Regional Office in
Panama, who is in turn in contact with agencies on the ground and will
revert with further information as required.

9. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int


Tel.:  +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only:  Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  GVA - Ms. Rachel Scott-Leflaive, direct Tel. +41-22-917 1915
  NYC - Mr. Ignacio Leon-Garcia, direct Tel. +1-917-367 9960

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. + 1-917 367 5126

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