Bocas Information - Indigenous Communities

12:59 November 27th, 2008

The following is and excerpt from a Panamanian Government statement at http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/MYAI-7LS2SM?OpenDocument

"The Emergency Operations Centre (Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia - COE) informed that rains continue to affect the province of Bocas del Toro and the region of Ngöbe Bugle, an indigenous reservation which is hard to access. In the region of Ngobe Bugle there are 395 houses affected. According to SINAPROC, over 3,000 people have been affected and more than 45 indigenous communities are surrounded by water and isolated."

Yesterday, we sent out our boat to the community on San Cristobal to gather information as to their current situation for both medical and other supplies needed. Food, clothing, and other goods donated by a Bocas relief organization headed up by Virginia Vasquez, were distributed there. No injuries had occurred there and people were mostly hungry and wet. Some thatched roofs had collapsed. Their needs are food, clothing, water, baby supplies (pampers and formula) and some medicines. The medical report is being given to the local hospital to prepare for the return trip.

There is no gasoline available in Bocas and the return trip with needed medicines and supplies will depend on additional fuel or an alternative mode of transport being found, such as a sailboat perhaps. If anyone has any suggestions please let us know. The outer islands and Ngobe-Bugle Camarca will have to be self-sufficient until either the Panamanian government reaches them or the fuel crisis abates. If you are going into any of these communities please gather information and relay it to the proper authorities.