Helping Hand for Relief and Development Responds to Panama Earthquake

By: Blerta Kosumi October 19, 2026

Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) is mobilizing emergency relief in Panama after a powerful 7.5‑magnitude earthquake struck the country on October 9, according to the University of Panama's Institute of Geosciences. Veraguas, Los Santos, Herrera, Coclé, and surrounding communities were heavily affected, and aftershocks have continued. Damaged homes, schools, hospitals, and roads have left many families in need of assistance.

Panamanian authorities have reported 27 people injured and 188 educational institutions affected, with no deaths reported so far. Many families displaced by the quake are seeking refuge in parks and temporary shelters, and in some areas, damaged roads and infrastructure have disrupted access to clean water, electricity, and medical care.

HHRD Delivers Aid Following Panama Earthquake

HHRD's Emergency Relief and Disaster Management (ERDM) program is coordinating relief operations through established partnerships, with a focus on food, clean drinking water, and hygiene kits for affected families. The first shipment of emergency aid has been dispatched for distribution through the local Islamic Center in Panama.

This response reflects ERDM's structured approach to disaster management, which combines rapid relief with long‑term recovery planning. Each intervention is designed to stabilize conditions and lay the groundwork for rehabilitation.

HHRD Team on the Ground in Panama

HHRD staff have arrived in Panama to visit affected communities. Distribution of vital relief items will begin after the team confers with the local Islamic Center.

Panama is home to an estimated 40,000 Muslims. The community is highly diverse and concentrated mainly in Panama City and Colón. It consists primarily of Arab (Lebanese, Palestinian, and Jordanian) and South Asian (Indian and Pakistani) immigrants, alongside a steadily growing number of indigenous and Afro‑Panamanian converts.

Building Toward Recovery

Beyond emergency relief, ERDM supports communities through rehabilitation and development, including temporary shelters, mobile medical clinics, and psycho‑social support. Over time, these efforts expand to permanent housing, healthcare facilities, and water and sanitation improvements, helping families rebuild stronger and safer.

Visit HHRD.org to learn more about Helping Hand for Relief and Development's ongoing emergency relief efforts.

Source: Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD)