The Trump administration has immediately mobilized a response to the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Panama on October 9. At the request of the Government of Panama, the State Department deployed an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) technical team to conduct an expert structural assessment of damage and potential emergency assistance needs. Department of War teams are assisting in the response through a U.S.-Panamanian Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on bilateral security cooperation. Ambassador Kevin Cabrera and the State Department continue to liaise with President José Raul Mulino and the Government of Panama to assess the damage.
Disaster response teams and search and rescue experts dispatched
The U.S. Department of State mobilized a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to coordinate and support emergency response, which included two USAR technical teams of 20 people, bringing a range of assessment, search and rescue expertise. These USAR team members arrived in Panama within 24 hours of the earthquake. USAR technical teams will conduct air and ground assessments and provide additional technical assistance in coordination with local authorities. The department also authorized Panamanian air and naval forces to use two INL-supported helicopters for earthquake relief.
humanitarian aid
The department has committed $5 million in assistance to support trusted on-the-ground implementers in disaster relief efforts.
Southern Command Logistics Support
To demonstrate the value of ongoing security cooperation efforts between Panama and the United States, the U.S. Department of the Army is supporting air damage assessments on the Azuero Peninsula and Cocle, including joint assessments with DART, embassy staff, and Panamanian officials. The State Department is coordinating with Southern Command to determine whether additional logistical support is needed.
Americans supporting Panama
The Trump administration’s highest priority is the safety of Americans. The U.S. Department of State is providing consular assistance to U.S. citizens and their families in the affected areas. We are not aware of any American casualties at this time. Our Consular Affairs Hotline is available 24/7 to affected Americans who need support at +1-202-501-4444 from abroad and +1-888-407-4747 from the U.S. and Canada. Americans in affected areas are strongly encouraged to monitor local news, follow emergency instructions provided by local authorities, and sign up for STEP.state.gov to receive important emergency messages.