Israel sends aid to Panama after earthquake causes water shortages

Israel is providing humanitarian assistance to residents of Panama affected by a magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck on Friday, including drinking water for communities experiencing shortages after damage to electricity and water infrastructure.

According to a statement from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy of Israel in Panama, to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to residents of the affected area.”

The ministry said the aid effort is being coordinated with local authorities, including the Municipality of Panama City, as well as Israeli expatriate communities in the country:

“As part of this effort, and in cooperation with the Municipality of Panama City, drinking water will be supplied to residents of Playa Venao, where damage to electricity and water infrastructure caused by the earthquake has resulted in water shortages.”

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Israeli Embassy in Panama continue to closely monitor developments, maintain contact with local authorities, and work to assist those affected by the earthquake, as well as Israeli nationals in the area,” the statement concluded.

Israel has a history of sending humanitarian assistance to countries affected by natural disasters. The IDF Home Front Command has trained for years to respond to earthquakes and other emergencies, and its personnel have repeatedly deployed their search-and-rescue and disaster-response capabilities in international relief efforts.

Panama is home to more than 10,000 Jewish residents, making it one of the largest Jewish communities in Latin America.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake’s epicenter was near Pitaloza Arriba in southern Panama. The agency estimated that hundreds of thousands of people experienced very strong or strong shaking, with millions more feeling moderate shaking or less.

A tsunami warning was issued for parts of the Pacific coast, including Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. The warnings were subsequently lifted after reports indicated that some areas had experienced waves slightly above normal tidal levels.

The earthquake struck as Hurricane Simon intensified over the Pacific Ocean toward Mexico’s west-central coast. The storm reached Category 4 strength, prompting warnings about destructive winds, heavy rainfall, flooding and mudslides. The developments have added to concerns about disaster preparedness and recovery efforts across parts of Latin America.

Leaders of several Christian organizations operating in the region have also called for prayer as communities face the threat of further devastation.