Natural disasters impact Piura and Panama

In Peru, more than 1.3 million people in the Piura region are at high risk of flooding due to intense rainfall. Data from the National Center for Estimation, Prevention, and Reduction of Disaster Risk (CENEPRED) indicates that approximately 64% of the regional population is vulnerable. The Network of Studies for Development (REDES) warned that heavy rains could impact 396,000 homes, 812 health facilities, and over 2,600 educational institutions. Meteorologists predict rainfall will be above normal during the final months of 2026, particularly in coastal areas affected by El Niño.

In Panama, an earthquake near Tonosí has left approximately 38,000 people affected, with UNICEF reporting that over 8,300 children require urgent assistance. The disaster has caused damage to homes, schools, and sanitary facilities, with hundreds of aftershocks recorded by the University of Panama. Government reports indicate that 1,744 homes have been evaluated and thousands of citizens are affected. Infrastructure damage to roads and bridges has hindered the delivery of food and medicine, while the Ministry of Health estimates that $61 million is needed for repairs to damaged medical facilities.