Storm Relief for the Indigenous Community at Salt Creek

Flood relief to Salt Creek Ngobe Community

On December 6th. we delivered supplies bought with donations from Bocas expats and local residents to the Indigenous Ngobe community of Salt Creek on Isla Bastimentos (35 minutes by boat from Bocas Town). A letter from the village leader with a list of the families in need had been sent to us several days before. Supplies of food, clothing, and sanitary items were distributed to 27 families there.

Although the heavy rains have ended, many of the Indigenous families may still need some assistance. Most of the people derive very little income from tourism in Bocas. A few do catch and sell sea food to the Bocas Town markets and restaurants or lumber to builders, but most of the island Ngobe are farmers and fishermen. They still work on a barter system of a farmer trading his produce for fish and vice versa. The heavy downpours and strong winds of this storm front destroyed many of the food crops, which are often grown in the less desirable areas for homes, the lowlands (which are unfortunately the most prone to flooding).

With no crops to trade the system of barter broke down. The farmer cannot trade for fish and the fisherman cannot trade or sell his fish locally. Many Indigenous cannot afford to come to town with produce or fish either. Gasoline prices have been fluctuating between $4.30 to $2.85 a gallon, while an average wage is about $10-$12 per day, if they are working. A trip by canoe could take half a day each way depending on the community's location. We do not know how long it will take to get crops growing again and the system back up and running, at least to the level it was already at, but we will monitor this and have a better idea for the future.

We are gathering information on the issues each community is facing as we deliver supplies. Those with pressing medical needs will be addressed as a Priority. Otherwise, we will not be able to return often as fuel and supplies are limited and there are other communities with the same needs. This information will help us with preparations for any future events. During the worse days of the storm there was often no communication with these communities, even when we had cellular service in Bocas Town. We need to look for an emergency communication system to create a network for the future. A system which is independent of cellular service, robust, and easy to use, perhaps the old style short way radio is the answer.

Storm Relief for Indigenous Peoples

A large tropical storm reaching from Honduras to Colombia stalled in the Caribbean off Panama in mid-November and created usually high storm surges on Panama's northern coasts, along with heavy rainfall and high winds. On November 22nd, Panama's President declared western Panama to be in a State of Emergency. While the town of Bocas on Isla Colon sustained minimal storm damage and had plenty of food supplies, the mainland towns and Indigenous communities were not so lucky.

The larger mainland towns depend on shipments of food and other supplies supplied by the coastal highway. During the early days of the storm the highway was shut down by 92 mudslides. Near the border with Costa Rica the flood waters raised the rivers by nine feet in some areas. Tens of thousands evacuated their homes and many still live in the baseball stadium. These towns lost power and then water. Fuel ran out and they were cut-off from outside assistance except by sea or air. The large numbers of people in these towns magnified the speed at which their resources were exhausted. Supplies are now being again delivered by road, but at a reduced rate.

The Ngobe Indigenous peoples are spread across several islands and remote mainland mountain areas in communities numbering from hundreds to thousands of people. Many are hours by foot or boat from a main town and supplies of food. Most are hunter-gather/farmers or fishermen, who augment their diets with rice, beans, flour, and other goods bought through cutting and selling native lumber or seafood. They generally have no large reserves of food in their villages or extra clothing personally. The Ngobe live on a day-to-day basis, typically consuming much or their food in a "feast or famine" mode. There is no electrical power except for generators (which few have) so there is no way to store certain types of food. Many still live in thatch roofed huts and often have poor drinking water conditions. They have no way to dry wet clothing until the rains stop and under these conditions dysentery will be wide spread with the children and elderly suffering the most.

Some remote mountain communities are being delivered supplies by U.S. military helicopters, but others are not. I received this letter (see below) from the Cacique (leader) of Salt Creek Ngobe community on Isla Bastimentos, asking for help for these families. The family numbers are mostly children in each household. Their father's occupations are listed as either fisherman or farmer. During the storms, they were unable to do much of either. They are in need of some assistance with food, clothing, blankets, and medicine to get through this time and to get back on their feet. We are asking for donations to buy these items. There is a storm relief program already under way at the University of West Florida. The contact person there is Charity Vander Wall at cjv2@students.uwf.edu

Thank you for anything you can do.

Sincerely,

Don King

Who are the Ngobe-Bugle? http://www.southernexplorations.com/panamaArticleIndigenousPeopleNgobeBugle.htm

U.S. Military relief for remote Ngobe Communities

According to the Southern Command, U.S. military disaster relief teams from a base in Honduras, have delivered more than 278,000 pounds of relief supplies to victims in flood-affected communities in Panama and Costa Rica.

The teams, comprised of 68 U.S. military personnel from the task force, have been supporting U.S. relief efforts in both countries since Nov 26. During the past seven days, the teams have flown 95 missions, using eight “Chinook” and “Blackhawk” helicopters to distribute aid and evacuate 17 flood victims in need of immediate medical attention.

U.S. Southern Command directed the teams to support ongoing U.S. relief efforts in Costa Rica and Panama, after authorities in both countries declared a state of emergency and requested U.S. assistance.

Near Bocas del Toro, Panama, a region where the task force’s helicopters have delivered supplies, the flooding has killed three people, injured seven, destroyed or damaged more than 1,000 houses, and affected more than 14,500 residents, according to Panama’s National System for Civil Protection.

In the Ngobe-Bugle Reservation community of Bisira, Panama (http://www.maplandia.com/panama/bocas-del-toro/chiriqui-grande/bisira/) they received 3,000 pounds of food ‎staples and water from a Black Hawk ‎helicopter last Friday (Nov. 29th). The airlifted relief commodities also included blankets, hygiene kits, and water containers. They also evacuated 16 flood victims in need of ‎immediate medical attention, which included six children and four pregnant women from remote ‎villages.

The U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Government's lead agency for international disaster assistance, is directing U.S. relief efforts in both countries.

"USAID provided initial funding for the local procurement and transport of emergency relief commodities and deployed disaster experts to the affected areas," said Ky Luu, Director of USAID´s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance. USAID disaster experts are also working alongside local authorities to further assess flood damage and determine if additional U.S. assistance is needed.

Source: http://www.southcom.mil/appssc/news.php?storyId=1485

The latest information from Radio Chiriqui and local/Federal Government agencies:

Land Access to Bocas:

Almirante/David: The Coastal Highway between Almirante/Changuinola and David/Panama City is OPEN, but none of the gov't agencies agree on when. MOP says only from 6 AM to 4 PM. Sinaproc (disaster relief) says 6 AM to 6 PM. Meanwhile, vehicles passed thru at 10 PM last night. There will be only two buses running daily between Changuinola/Almirante and David today and only two coming from David (775-2974 Terminal David).

Changuinola: The Sixaola Bridge is OPEN at this time. The road between the border and San Jose, Costa Rica is OPEN.

Water taxis:

"Bocas Marine & Tours" 757-9033 Running every hour.
"Taxi 25" 757-9028 Running every hour.
"Jampam" 757-9619 Running every hour.

Internet and Phone Service:

All Cable & Wireless Internet and cellular services is now working. Don Chico's wireless is intermittent.

Banks and ATM's:

There is one bank on the island, which is Banco Nacional. It is located on the road to the airport at the corner of Calle 4 and Ave. E. The bank is open M-F from 8 AM until 2 PM and Saturdays 9-12. Monday the 8th is a Holiday and they will be Closed. The bank has an ATM outside, which is currently working (as long as the Internet is working). There is another ATM located near the Police Station/Jail on Calle Primera (First Street).

Airlines:

Is restored and are flying (pending weather conditions) to both Bocas and Changuinola. AeroPerlas 757-9341 and Air Panama 757-9842. Nature Air of Costa Rica (506) 8756425

Fuel: No gasoline at Accel Carenero today. (Alexis 757-9983). Unconfirmed rumors of some coming in today. Tropigas and Panagas propane are available in Bocas.


*Note: we cannot verify the information given here accept through phone conversations with officials when possible and cannot be held responsible for this information's validity. This was simply meant as a Public Service to provide information.

Courtesy of Soluciones Biotecnologicas Tropicales (SBT) and Bocas del Toro Realty Services, Inc. 757-9401 Updates at www.solareef.com, see the Blog.

Bocas Information for December 4th, 2008

The latest information from Radio Chiriqui and local/Federal Government agencies:

Land Access to Bocas:

Almirante/David: The Coastal Highway between Almirante/Changuinola and David/Panama City is OPEN, but only from 6 AM to 4 PM. There will be only two buses running daily between Changuinola/Almirante and David today and only two coming from David (775-2974 Terminal David). The Pan American Highway is open to Panama City.

Changuinola: The Sixaola Bridge is OPEN at this time. The road between the border and San Jose, Costa Rica is OPEN.

Water taxis:

"Bocas Marine & Tours" 757-9033 Running every hour.
"Taxi 25" 757-9028 Running every hour.
"Jampam" 757-9619 Running every hour.

Internet and Phone Service:

All Cable & Wireless Internet and cellular services is now working. Don Chico's wireless is intermittent.

Banks and ATM's:

There is one bank on the island, which is Banco Nacional. It is located on the road to the airport at the corner of Calle 4 and Ave. E. The bank is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 2 PM and Saturdays 9-12. Monday the 8th is a Holiday and they will be Closed. The bank has an ATM outside, which is currently working (as long as the Internet is working). There is another ATM located near the Police Station/Jail on Calle Primera (First Street).

Airlines:

Is restored and are flying (pending weather conditions) to both Bocas and Changuinola. AeroPerlas 757-9341 and Air Panama 757-9842. Nature Air of Costa Rica (506) 8756425

Fuel: No gasoline for boats at Accel Carenero today. (Alexis 757-9983). Tropigas and Panagas propane are available in Bocas.

*Note: we cannot verify the information given here accept through phone conversations with officials when possible and cannot be held responsible for this information's validity. This was simply meant as a Public Service to provide information.

**Since the earliest days of the storm we have been copying and hand delivering copies of this sheet to local hotels, restaurants, businesses, and the airport each day. With the immediate crisis now over, we will begin to only issue electronic postings of this information starting tomorrow. One exception will be the airport, since tourists will not know where to look for information. We will continue to post until all services return to normal.

Courtesy of Soluciones Biotecnologicas Tropicales (SBT) and Bocas del Toro Realty Services, Inc. 757-9401 Updates at www.solareef.com, see the Blog.

Bocas Information for December 3rd, 2008

The latest information from Radio Chiriqui and local/Federal Government agencies:

Land Access to Bocas:

Almirante/David: The Coastal Highway between Almirante/Changuinola and David/Panama City is OPEN, but only from 6 AM to 4 PM. There will be only two buses running daily between Changuinola/Almirante and David today and only two coming from David (775-2974 Terminal David). The Pan American Highway is open to Panama City.

Changuinola: The Sixaola Bridge is OPEN at this time. The road between the border and San Jose, Costa Rica is OPEN.

Water taxis:

"Bocas Marine & Tours" 757-9033 Running every hour.
"Taxi 25" 757-9028 Running every hour.
"Jampam" 757-9619 Running every hour.

Internet and Phone Service:

All Cable & Wireless Internet and cellular services is now working. Don Chico's wireless is intermittent.

Banks and ATM's:

There is one bank on the island, which is Banco Nacional. It is located on the road to the airport at the corner of Calle 4 and Ave. E. The bank is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 2 PM and Saturdays 9-12 (the lines are very long again today). Monday the 8th is a Holiday and they will be Closed. The bank has an ATM outside, which is currently working (as long as the Internet is working). There is another ATM located near the Police Station/Jail on Calle Primera (First Street).

Airlines:

Is restored and are flying (pending weather conditions) to both Bocas and Changuinola. AeroPerlas 757-9341 and Air Panama 757-9842. AeroPerlas will begin to accept personal cargo today. Nature Air of Costa Rica (506) 8756425

Fuel: Gasoline was available at Accel Carenero this morning, but they are now Closed. (Alexis 757-9983). Tropigas and Panagas propane are available in Bocas.


*Note: we cannot verify the information given here accept through phone conversations with officials when possible and cannot be held responsible for this information's validity. This was simply meant as a Public Service to provide information.

Courtesy of Soluciones Biotecnologicas Tropicales (SBT) and Bocas del Toro Realty Services, Inc. 757-9401 Updates at www.solareef.com, see the Blog.

Bocas Information Sheet for December 1st, 2008

The latest information from Radio Chiriqui and local/Federal Government agencies:

Land Access to Bocas:

Almirante/David: The Coastal Highway between Almirante/Changuinola and David/Panama City is now OPEN to all vehicles, except tractor trailers! There is one lane in some areas. Buses and some tractor trailers are coming from David to Changuinola, but they must stop and off load in certain areas, then re-load on another bus or truck past the slide.

Changuinola: The Sixaola Bridge is OPEN at this time. The road from the border to San Jose, Costa Rica is OPEN, according to border authorities. Only two buses are running daily from Changuinola to David at 10 AM and 3 PM (775-2974). Bus schedules from David to Panama City is normal. The Pan American Highway is open to Panama City.

Water taxis:

"Bocas Marine & Tours" 757-9033 Open, every 90 minutes or when Full.
"Taxi 25" 757-9028 Running to Almirante only, every hour.
"Jampam" 757-9619 Open, running when full.

Internet and Phone Service:

All Internet and cellular services are now working.

Banks and ATM's:

There is one bank on the island which is Banco Nacional. It is located on the road to the airport at the corner of Calle 4 and Ave. E. The bank is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 12 noon and Saturdays 9-12. Today is a holiday and they are closed. The bank has an ATM outside, which is currently working (as long as the Internet is working). There is another ATM located near the Police Station/Jail on Calle Primera (First Street).

Airlines:

Service is restored and are flying (pending weather conditions) to both Bocas and Changuinola. AeroPerlas 757-9341 and Air Panama 757-9842.

Fuel: Gasoline is available at Accel Carenero 757-9983. Propane is available in Bocas.

*Note: we cannot verify the information given here and cannot be held responsible for this information's validity. This was simply meant as a Public Service to provide information.

Courtesy of Soluciones Biotecnologicas Tropicales (SBT) and Bocas del Toro Realty Services, Inc. 757-9401 Updates at www.solareef.com, see the Blog.

Bocas Information - U.S. Army Relief

The U.S. Southern Command was requested by Panama for relief assistance in Western Panama after the State of Emergency was declared. They work closely with USAID and the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. A team of 48 U.S. military personnel and seven helicopters began deploying from nearby Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras Nov. 25. The team is comprised of aviation and medical personnel that are working in coordination with national disaster response organizations from each country. So far, they hav e airlifted about five tons of USAID relief supplies and food, and evacuated 16 flood victims in need of immediate medical attention. Attached photograph is of one of these relief helicopters in Bocas on Nov. 30th, 2008off loading supplies.