Panama
From HFA-PEDIA
Contents |
What's New
- 12 January 2011: Government of Panama Approves National Policy for Risk Management (NPRM)
For more information see section here below on Institutional Setting in Panama´s Country Profile here below.
HFA National Reports
Preliminary HFA Progress Report 2009-2011 (2010): Panama (via HFA Monitor on PreventionWeb / Spanish)
National Report 2007-2009 (2008): National Progress Report 2008 (Spanish)
National Report 2007: National Report on the Implementation of the HFA (2007) - Panama - Spanish only
National Report 2006: Unreported
National Report 2005: Unreported
National Report 2004: National Report in Preparation for WCDR (2004) - Panama - Spanish only
National Platform:
The National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Republic of Panama, through the National Commission for CEPREDENAC-PANAMA (covered by the Executive Order 402 of the November 12, 2002), was officially formed in December 2005.
THE NP is formed by:
The National System of Civil Protection, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry of Agricultural Development, the National Authority Environmental, Social Insurance Fund (DENADE), the Civil Engineering Faculty of the University of Panama, the Institute of Geosciences at the University of Panama and the Electricity Transmission Company S.A. And integrated lately Canal Authority and the Ministry of Social Development in 2007.
Contact Person:
Arturo Alvarado De Icaza, General Director SINAPROC and President of the National Platform
Technical Contact Person:
Head of International Technical Cooperation and Coordinator of the National Platform as well as of the National Commission of CEPREDENAC-PANAMA.
Address: Panama, Former Base Howard, in SINAPROC Building 708 and 707.
Phone: (507)316-0042 / Fax: (507)316-0049.
Members of the CEPREDENAC National Commission for PANAMA (National Platform)
Ministerios
1. National Civil Protection System - Arturo Alvarado De Icaza, General Director SINAPROC, presiding
2. Foreign Ministry - Santiago Lopez
3. Ministry of Economy and Finance - Luis Broce
4. Ministry of Education - Olmedo Adilia Perez
5. Ministry of Public Works - Jorge Pitalua
6. Ministry of Health - Raul Gonzalez
7. Minister for Housing - Juan Benavides
8. Ministry of Agricultural Development - Carlos Scale
9. Ministry of Social Development - Christopher Espinosa
10. National Environmental Authority - Helvecia Bonilla
11. Social Security Fund - Isabel Del Mar
12. Civil Engineering Faculty of the University of Technology in Panama - Bernadette Trejos
13. Institute of Geosciences at the University of Panama - Eduardo Camacho
14. Electric Transmission Company S.A. -- Graciela de Luz Calzadilla
15. Panama Canal Authority - Antonio Mitchel 'Address of Organizations participating in the National Platform of Panama:'
National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC) of Panama
Former Howard Base, Building # 708, Panama
PO BOX 6-7297, El Dorado, Panama.
Phone: +507-316-0048 / 0050/0076, Fax: +507-316-0049
Contact Person: Dr. Luis Francisco Sucre - E-mail:direcciongeneral@sinaproc.gob.pa
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Address: Side Church of San Francisco of Assis, Old Town
Phone: (507) 211-4100, Email: S / D
Website: MINREX
Ministry of Finance and Economy
Vice-Minister of Finance
Address: Ave Peru, Old Building of Finance and Treasury
Phone: 207-7700 Website:MEF
Vice-Minister of Economy
Address: España Avenue, Building Ogawa.
Phone: 269-4262 / 269-4024, E-mail: webmaster@mef.gob.pa
Website: [1]
Ministry of Education
PO Box: 2440 Panama 3, Panama
Address: Corozal, Cardenas
Phone: (507) 211 - 4400 / 315-7300,
E-mail: meduca@meduca.gob.pa, webmaster@meduca.gob.pa
Website:MEDUCA
Ministry of Health (SISED)
National Coordinator for Disaster
Address: Building 237 - 238 - 253 - 255 - 261 - 265, Panama City, Ancon PO BOX.: 4444, Panama 1, Panama
Phone: (507) 262-8280, Fax: (507) 227-2296
Website: MINSA
Ministry of Housing (MIVI)
Address: Av. Ricardo J. Alfaro, Edison Plaza Building 4 floor.
Phone: (507) -279-9200, Fax: (507) -279-9200, e-mail: mivi@mivi.gob.pa
Website: http://mivi.gob.pa
'Ministry of Works:'
Address: Curundu near the office Aduana
Phone: (507) 207-9400, E-mail: cvallarino@mop.gib.pa (Minister)
Website: http://www.mop.gob.pa/
Ministry of Agricultural Development
PO Box 5390, Panama Zone 5
Phone: (507) 998-2200, E-mail:oespino@mida.gob.pa
Website: http://www.mida.gob.pa/
National Environmental Authority
Address: Headquarters Building 804 Albrook, Paragraph 0843-00793 Panama City, Panama
Phone: (507) 315-0661, Fax: (507) 315-0661, E-mail: l.simonovic@anam.gob.pa
Website: http://www.anam.gob.pa/
Social Security Fund (DENADE)
Address: Transistmica, Panama City
Phone: (507) 261 7555
Website: http://www.css.org.pa/Index.aspx
Civil Engineering Faculty of the University of Panama
Address: Metropolitan Campus "Dr. Victor Levi Sasso" in the Via Ricardo J. Alfaro / Ground Floor Building No. 1
Phone: (507) 360-3003, Fax: (507) 360-3001, E-mail: fic@utp.ac.pa
Website: http://www.utp.ac.pa/secciones/facultades/civil.htm
Institute of Geosciences at the University of Panama
Address: Central Campus - COLINA, University of Panama, Panama City, PO Box: National University
Phone: (507) 223-2396, Fax: (507) 263-7671, E-mail:igc1@ancon.up.ac.pa
Website: http://www.igc.up.ac.pa
Electric Transmission Company (ETESA)
Box: 5285 Zone 5, Panama
Phone: (507) 2073849, Fax: (507) 2073992, e-mail: Lcalzadilla@ETESA.com.pa
Website: http://www.hidromet.com.pa
Panama Canal Authority
Protection Division Canal - Atlantic Fields
Address: Building 40, Gatun, Columbus
Contact: Jaime P. Owens, Section Manager
Phone: (507) 443-5294, fax: (507) 443-5202, E-mail: jowens@pancanal.com
HFA National Focal Point
Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil de Panamá (SINAPROC)
Antigua Base de Howard, Edif.708, Panamá
Aptdo. 6-7297, El Dorado, Panamá
Tel:+507-316-0048/0050/0076
Fax:+507-316-0049
Contact person:
Arturo Alvarado De Icaza, General Director SINAPROC Replaced Dr. Luis Francisco Sucre in 2009
Progress towards DRR in 2010
- National Platform for DRR relaunched in 2010
Other contacts
Permanent Mission of Panama to the United Nations in Geneva
Chief:
His Excellency Mr. Juan Alberto Castillero
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Permanent Representative
Address: Rue de Lausanne 72, 1202 Geneva
Tel: +(41-22) 715-0450, Fax: +(41-22) 738-0363
E-mail: mission.panama@bluewin.ch, mission.panama@ties.itu.int
UN System Coordination
UN Resident Coordinator
Mr. Jose Eguren
Resident Coordinator UN / Resident Representative UNDP
Tel: +(507) 302-4500 / 4600, Fax: +(507) 302-4602
E-mail: jose.eguren@un.org.pa
UN Inter-Agency Support
Ms. Marlo Barsallo
E-mail: marlo.barsallo@un.org.pa
Mrs. Maria Eugenia Mujica, UN Coordination Specialist
Tel: +(507) 302-4500 / 4606, Fax: +(507) 305-4606
E-mail: mariaeugenia.mujica@un.org.pa
Mrs. Yill Otero, UN Coordination Analyst
Tel: +(507) 302-4500 / 4604, Fax: +(507) 305-4604
E-mail: yill.otero@un.org.pa
UN Country Team
Mr. Jose Eguren: Resident Coordinator, UN Agcy/United Nations
Mrs. Guadalupe Verdejo: Representative, PAHO/WHO
Mr. Deodoro Roca: Representative, FAO
Mr. Jose Euceda: Representative, UNHCR
Mr. Peter Grohmann: Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP/Non Spcf/Generic/Panama
Ms. Gordana Jerger: Representative, WFP
Mr. Ernesto Guerrero: Country Coordinator Coordinator, UNAIDS
Mr. Bolivar Pino: Coordinator ILO
Mr. Mark Connolly: Representative a.i., UNICEF C/O
Mrs. Jiesselinde Gonzalez: Officer in Charge, UNIC
Mrs. Laura Flores: Assistant Representantive, UNFPA/LAC/Panama
Ms. Isabel Martinez: Programme Officer (appointed as UNCT member by UNEP's Regional Director), UNEP
Mrs. Carmen Rosa Villa: Regional Representantive, OHCHR
Mr. Frederic de Dinechin: Representantive, World Bank
Mr. Kai Bethke: Head of Regional Office, UNIDO
Mrs. Maria Noel Vaeza: Regional Director, UNOPS
Ms. Jaana Keitaaranta: Regional Manager, IFAD
Mrs. Yill Otero: Coordination Support , UN Agcy/UN/Generic/Panama
Mrs. Maria Eugenia Mujica: Coordination Support, UN Agcy/UN/Generic/Panama
Ms. Marlo Barsallo: Coordination Support, UN Agency/ UN
Updated: 23 May, 2008; UNDG Country Team
UNDP
Mr. Roberto Galvez, Officer-in-Charge, UNDP
United Nations Building, POB 6314, Av Samuel Lewis and street Girardo Ortega, 5 Panama - Panama (PNY)
Tel: 00 (507) 302-4500, Fax: 00 (507) 302-4546
E-mail: [mailto: registry.pa@undp.org registry.pa@undp.org]
URL:UNDP PANAMA
Organizations participating in the National Platform of Panama
National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC) of Panama
Former Howard Base, Building # 708, Panama
PO BOX 6-7297, El Dorado, Panama.
Phone: +507-316-0048 / 0050/0076, Fax: +507-316-0049
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Address: Side Church of San Francisco de Assis, Old Town
Phone: (507) 211-4100, Email: S / D
Website: http://www.presidencia.gob.pa/ministerios/mire.htm
Ministry of Finance and Economy
Vice-Minister of Finance
Address: Ave Peru, Old Building of Finance and Treasury
Phone: 207-7700
Vice-Minister of Economy
Address: Via España, Edificio Ogawa
Phone: 269-4262 / 269-4024, E-mail: webmaster@mef.gob.pa
Website: http://www.mef.gob.pa/inicio/default.asp
Ministry of Education
PO Box: 2440 Panama 3, Panama
Address: Corozal, Cardenas
Phone: (507) 211 - 4400 / 315-7300, E-mail: meduca@meduca.gob.pa, webmaster@meduca.gob.pa
Website: http://www.meduca.gob.pa/
Ministry of Health
National Coordinator for Disaster
Address: Building 237 - 238 - 253 - 255 - 261 - 265, Panama City, Ancon Apdo.: 4444, Panama 1, Panama
Phone: (507) 262-8280, Fax: (507) 227-2296
Website: http://www.minsa.gob.pa/
Ministry of Housing (MIVI)
Address: Av. Ricardo J. Alfaro, Edison Plaza Building Floor 4th.
Phone: (507) -279-9200, Fax: (507) -279-9200, e-mail: mivi@mivi.gob.pa
Website: MIVI
Ministry of Works
Address: Curundú near the Customs (Aduanas) office
Contact details of the members of the National Platform (National CEPREDENAC Commission)
1. Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA)
E-mail: infomida@mida.gob.pa
URL: MIDA
2. Ministry of Social Development (MIDES)
E-mail: minjumnfa@sinfo.net
URL: MIDES
3. Ministry of Economy and Finances (MEF)
E-mail: mhyt@mhyt.gob.pa
URL: MEF
4. Ministry of Education (MEDUCA)
E-mail: meduca@meduca.gob.pa
URL: MEDUCA
5. Ministry of Public Works (MOP)
E-mail: infomop@mop.gob.pa
URL: MOP
6. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX)
E-mail: prensalibre@mire.gob.pa
URL: MINREX
7. Ministry of Health (MINSA)
E-mail: saludaldia@minsa.gob.pa
URL: MINSA
8. Housing Ministry (MIVI)
E-mail: mivi@mivi.gob.pa
URL: MIVI
Decentralized Institutions
9. Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
E-mail: info@pancanal.com
Website: ACP
Government Entities
10. National Environmental Authority
E-mail: admin.general@anam.gob.pa
URL: ANAM
11. National Civil Protection System
E-mail: divulgacion@sinaproc.gob.pa
URL:SINAPROC
Scientific-Technical Institutions
12. University of Panama
E-mail: igc@up.ac.pa
13. Technological University of Panama
E-mail: fic@utp.ac.pa
URL: UTP
14. Electric Transmission Company
E-mail: hidromet@etesa.com.pa
URL: ETESA
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Other
Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean (CATHALAC)
An international non-profit organization with its own assets and management autonomy aimed at promoting sustainable human development by means of applied scientific research, education and technology transfer on water resources and environment, providing the means to improve the quality of life in the countries of the humid tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean, without compromising that of future generations.
URL: CATHALAC
Country profile
Name: Republic of Panama
Capital: Panama
Date of independence On November 3, 1903 (Colombia), November 28, 1821 (Spain)
Total population: 3,242,173 (July 2007 est.)
Area: 78.200 km2
Population density: 39 hab/Km2
Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
Language: Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians bilingual.
Ethnic groups: Mestizo (Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed race 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%
Government: Constitutional Democracy
Currency: balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)
Position in the HDI: 56
Climate: Tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May).
Panama ranks 14th among countries most exposed to multiple hazards based on land area, according to the World Bank’s Natural Disaster Hotspot study. Panama has 4.4% of its total area exposed and 2.9% of its total population vulnerable to up to three hazards. The same study ranks Panama 35th among countries with the highest percentage of total population considered at a “Relatively High Mortality Risk from Multiple Hazards”.
Panama is characterized by very intense and long lasting rainfalls, windstorms, floods, droughts, wildfires, earthquakes, landslides, tropical cyclones, tsunamis and ENSO/El Niño-La Niña episodes. Disaster Data from Panama published on PreventionWeb indicates that the country experienced 32 disaster events between 1983-2008, with total economic damages estimated at US $86 million, and a total of 249 people killed by these events.
(Source: GFDRR's Country Program for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation 2009-2011 - Summary notes, Panama)
Geographical Description (about hazards and disasters)
According to available statistics, the Republic of Panama is a country with an incidence and impact of disasters lower compared to the rest of Central America, but the country is not free of them. Vulnerable populations, the vast majority, are expanding into areas threats recognized by technical studies specialist. The concept of vulnerability to natural disasters socio-making broad interest.
With a population of approximately 36.8% in poverty, including urban poverty, people were forced to focus on high-risk areas (such as the Districts of San Miguelito, Chorillo, Calidonia, Juan Diaz, Alcalde Diaz, among others). These areas are associated with spontaneous patterns of urban development, which do not respect the rules of construction and consumption habits have gained little hygienic (accumulation of garbage in water sources, clandestine dumps in any corner of the city, and so on.). The cities of Panama and Colon, and certainly the rest of the cities in the country, live in a constant level of risk. The country presents major active fault: Gap Tonosí, Fracture Zone of Panama, Gap Gatun, the deformed belt in the north of Panama, among others. In the event of a strong earthquake, particularly the urban centers would be severely affected, with the consequences of lack of services and disease control. Events such as the earthquake that hit the provinces of Bocas del Toro and Chiriqui on 1991 1998 2001 and Columbus in 2003; trombas marine seen in the Bay Area in 2002 and Panama in August 2003, the severe flooding of September 17, 2004 in the capital, leaving a balance of 16 deaths, 13,011 affected and 1,405 injured, are events that showed that they were necessary preparation and community involvement to deal with the impacts caused by the impact of natural hazards in this country.
According to GFDRR's Country Program for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation 2009-2011, strategic actions are needed in the following areas to enhance disaster risk management in Panama: (i) strengthen institutional capacity of members of the national system, (ii) reduce vulnerability in urban areas, and (iii) develop a comprehensive risk assessment and monitoring capacity.
Institutional Setting
Government of Panama Approves National Policy for Risk Management (NPRM) - January 2011
This policy revolves around the commitment to implement the Hyogo Framework for Action by the country and has been the product of a coordinated process with the National Platform for Disaster Reduction and the Centre for the Prevention of Disasters in Central America (CEPREDENAC by its Spanish Acronym) belonging to the Central American Integration System (SICA). By implementing this policy Panama advances in development planning, incorporating effective participatory activities at all levels of risk management, contributing to improve the quality of life of people, individually and collectively, with an emphasis on needs and participation of vulnerable communities in strengthening their capacities for self-management and development. For further information please see the executive decree (in Spanish only)
SINAPROC
The authority for Panama’s DRR National Platform stems from Law No. 7, Resolution 28 which created the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC) in 2005. SINAPROC is responsible for coordinating DRM & DRR in Panama as the highest ranking authority in the event of an emergency. SINAPROC is also charged with executing the actions, regulations and directives towards the removal or reduction of the negative effects of disasters on human lives, goods and society. SINAPROC also maintains responsibility for the National Emergencies Plan and the country’s Risk Management Plan.
By Executive Decree No. 402 of the November 12, 2002, creating the National Commission of the Coordination Center for Natural Disaster Prevention in Central America (CEPREDENAC). This same Comsión National CEPREDENAC was recognized in December 2005 as the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, in a workshop organized by SINAPROC with the support of the ISDR Americas and the Japanese Cooperation Agency JICA. Thus Panama moved ahead with the implementation of the Hyogo Framework to identify a mechanism for cross-sectoral coordination to advance the priorities set out in this Framework for Action.
The SINAPROC is the institution responsible for implementing measures, regulations and orders to prevent, reduce or nullify the effects of the action of the nature or anthropogenic can cause on the life and property of the social conglomerate. In particular, it is the planning, research, management, supervision and organization of policies and actions aimed at preventing physical and psychosocial risks, and gauge the danger that can cause natural disasters and human-induced. The agencies are SINAPROC attached to the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), which is responsible for promoting, planning and maintain coordination and joint operation between the different levels and jurisdictions, as well as the roles of government and private institutions involved in the response to emergencies and disasters, the Civil Defense Academy, a body of national and regional-which operates in SINAPROC - which develops training and technical expertise in risk reduction and disaster care. Likewise, it promotes a culture of prevention and mitigation of risks with the training of specialized human resources in various disciplines in the field of civil protection, the National Volunteer Corps, which is a group of men and women who offer services honorary SINAPROC support in the implementation of plans for disaster prevention and care.
The organizations responsible for the prevention, mitigation and care of emergencies and disasters have made efforts to minimize the risks faced by communities to be affected by natural phenomena occurring in the country. To enable any information is required to have informational materials from the systematization communicable knowledge. The accurate and appropriate information is the engine that allows advance and vision and, therefore, the choice of an alternative advantageous from the standpoint of the information center. Bearing this in mind and to meet the need in the country with regard to the systematization and dissemination of information on disasters, the National Civil Protection System joins the CANDHI network, and with the support of the Regional Centre for Disaster Information (CRID), opens the creation of the National Center for Documentation and Information on Risk Reduction (CENDIRR). Its mission is to decrease the vulnerability in Panamanian society to disasters through the collection and dissemination of information on disasters and simultaneously contribute to the country's development with the creation of a culture of prevention through the habit of reading and research.
Urban indicators
Statistical Overview
- Urbanisation:
- Total Population: 3 million
- Urban population: 56%
- Slum to urban population: 31%
- Annual population growth rates:
- Urban: 2%
- Slum: 2%
- Annual population growth rates:
- Slum Indicators - % urban population with access to
- Safe water source: 88%
- Improved sanitation: 78%
- Sufficient living area: N/A
- Durable housing: N/A
(Based on UN-Habitat 2001 estimates)
| Indicator | 2030 |
| Total population (thousands) | 4,488.2 |
| Population in urban (thousands) | 3,751.8 |
| Population in slums (thousands) | N/A |
| Population in urban areas (% of total population) | 83.6 |
| Population in slums (% of urban population) | N/A |
| Annual urban population growth rate (%) | N/A |
| Annual slum population growth rate (%) | N/A |
| Population with access to improved sanitation (% of urban population) | N/A |
| Population with access to improved water (% of urban population) | N/A |
| Population with sufficient living area (% of urban population) | N/A |
| Population with durable structures (% of urban population) | N/A |
| Population in rural (thousands) | 736.4 |
- Source: UN-Habitat - The data presented here is extracted from UN-HABITAT's Global Urban Indicators database.
- The data is drawn from different sources and based on 2030 estimates.
Climate change
- Panama's First National Communication on Climate Change to the UNFCC (Spanish, July 2001)
Recent progress towards the implementation of the HFA
Panama: Statement made at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (2009) (Spanish only)
An Official Statement made by Sr. Rafael Bonilla, Chief of International Technical Cooperation, Panama, at the second session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, June 2009.
Aspects mentioned at GP09:
- Additional technical support for professionals involved in the NP is requested
Commitments and proposals mentioned at GP09:
- Ratify (2007-2009 HFA Monitor) report on the achievements of HFA
- Ministries of Finance and Economy should increasingly include DRR.
- Greater participation from the private sector, NGOs and civil society regarding DRR
- To include DRR thematic discussions in the climate change agenda
Concrete advancements and achievements mentioned at GP09:
- PA1: Multi task holder National Platform working since December 2005.
HFA P1 - Institutional and legal framework:
Establishment of the National Platform for Disaster Reduction (December 2005), based on the existing multisectoral National Commission for CEPREDENAC.
Plan of action for the NP is under development. The Canal Authority and the Social Development Ministries have joined the NP in 2007 (currently there are 14 members of the NP).
DRR mainstreamed in health policies and strategies.
HFA P2 - Risk identification and EWS:
Hydro meteorological early warning system in place
Reference maps on climate variables (in partnership with ETESA)
Risk evaluations in hospitals and health centers at the national level(undertaken by the Social Security Agency)
Works in seismology, landslides, vulcanology (GEOCIENCIAS, Universidad de Panamá)
Strengthening of the Hydro-meteorological network
HFA P3 - Knowledge and education:
Strengthening of the community development and local capacities and mechanisms in DRR (lead by SINAPROC)
Institute of GEOCIENCIAS has developed a school program on DRR
Programs and agreements with Technological University of Panama (UTP)
HFA P4 - Risk applications:
Production of climate change scenarios
A wild fires program developed
HFA P5 - Preparedness and response:
DRR director plan this plan is based on the regional plan for the reduction of disasters.
(Source: Matrix Final - based on national progress report for the Global Platform)
Web Links
PreventionWeb: Panama - Disaster Statistics
Panama Coordination Profile; United Nations Development Group (includes Common Country Assessment - CCA, United Nations Development Assistance Framework - UNDAF, MDG Reports, UN Country Team, Resident Coordinator Office and more)
Office of UN Resident Coordinator
CEPREDENAC Coordination Center for the Prevention of Natural Disasters in Central America.
World Health Organization(OMS) [www.who.int./en/ WHO]
Pan American Health Organization - Disaster Preparedness Program (PED) OPS
MDG Profile: Panama
