Panama
From HFA-PEDIA
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HFA National Reports
National Report 2008 / HFA Monitor Online Report: Submitted - National Evaluation 2008 - Panama - Spanish only
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:
Dr. Luis Francisco Sucre, General Director SINAPROC and President of the National Platform
Technical Contact Person:
Mr. Rafael Bonilla, 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 - Dr. Luis Francisco Sucre, 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:
Dr. Luis Francisco Sucre, General Director
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).
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.
Institutional Aspects
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.
Climate change
- Panama's First National Communication on Climate Change to the UNFCC (Spanish, July 2001)
Progress towards the implementation of the HFA
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)
OTHER INITIATIVES:
The last forum meeting of the national commission / national platform, was carried out in January 2008, with the assistance of 110 players from the government and civil society; through Strengthening Project of the National Commission of Panama funded by the World Bank- CEPREDENAC - SINAPROC.
Among the results achieved in this forum are:
1. It was reported to the Panamanian population and the progress made on the Hyogo Framework for Action through the Country Report delivered to the International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction as an input to the Global Meeting of the National Platform.
2. It was presented to the Community Panamanian linked to the disaster risk reduction a tool or mechanism to incorporate the subject of risk management and promote and influence the planning process.
3. It disclosed the state of the country depending on the impact of climate change in Panama.
4. It incorporated members of the insurance company private and NGO's in the agenda of the National Platform for Risk Management and the National Commission for CEPREDENAC-PANAMA.
5. It became sensitive the audience in general and development actors in particular, the importance of the theme of risk management in the development planning process.
Others Documents:
Web Links:
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
