Please refer to the attached file. Highlights According to the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC), as of October 15, 5, 821 homes have been evaluated, corresponding to 19, 309 people, of which 3, 696 remain in temporary accommodation. Among the population identified by SINAPROC, 475 newborns, 2, 174 children and 1, 030 adolescents were reported. The authorities continue damage assessments and assistance to affected families. The evaluations continue to identify impacts on water, sanitation, education and protection services in rural and hard-to-reach communities in the provinces of Herrera, Los Santos and Veraguas, where risk factors associated with displacement, interruption of basic services and access limitations persist. UNICEF contributes to the government-led response, in coordination with UN agencies, funds and programmes, deploying efforts with donors and implementing partners to reach the most affected communities with psychosocial support, water, sanitation, health and learning spaces in the context of the emergency. As part of the initial response, UNICEF distributed 415 hygiene kits to displaced people from Isla Cañas, including 325 kits for children aged 0-12 years and 90 kits for adolescents and adults, helping to reduce health risks and strengthen hygiene conditions in temporary shelters. Needs continue to evolve as damage and impact assessments progress. UNICEF requires US$2. 57 million to sustain and scale up the multisectoral response targeting children and their families in affected provinces, with an emphasis on protection, education, health and access to essential WASH services. Humanitarian Situation and Needs The 7. 5 magnitude earthquake that struck Panama on October 9 continues to have significant impacts on families and essential services. Following the declaration of a state of emergency on October 10, national authorities continue damage assessments and humanitarian assistance to displaced families, while there are still needs for safe shelter and access to basic services in the affected areas. As of the date of the report, and according to official figures from SINAPROC, 19, 309 people are affected by the earthquake. According to the preliminary breakdown by age and sex, 475 newborns, 2, 174 children and 1, 030 adolescents are identified. In turn, SINAPROC reports 3, 696 people housed in temporary shelters, of which 2, 569 are in Veraguas, followed by 644 people in Los Santos and 483 in other areas. That shows priority needs for protection, access to basic services and continuity of essential services for children. At the time of this report, two people have died as a result of the earthquake. Infrastructure damage and access limitations persist in several of the impacted areas. In the province of Herrera, one community is reported to be cut off from communication and 32 landslides, while in areas of Veraguas there are still interruptions in drinking water, electricity and connectivity services. ³ These conditions may limit the timely access of affected communities to humanitarian assistance and essential services, in addition to delaying assessment, rehabilitation and recovery efforts. As government-led sectoral assessments progress, needs related to the restoration of water, sanitation and hygiene services, the recovery of safe learning spaces and the expansion of child protection services continue to be identified. The information remains subject to updating as authorities complete damage checks and early recovery and response efforts advance.
UNICEF Panama Humanitarian Situation Report No. 4 (Earthquake), 14-16 October 2026
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