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Nearly a month after the quake, 3,356 still in shelters

Nearly a month after the 9 October earthquake, 3,356 people from 886 families were still living in 113 shelters, according to the latest tally from Sinaproc's national emergency operations centre (COE), with a cut-off of 2 November, as reported by TVN. That is down from 4,501 people in 141 shelters in Sinaproc's count of 27 October.

Where people are still sheltered (Sinaproc COE, 2 Nov)

  • Veraguas: 1,635 people.
  • Los Santos: 1,153.
  • Herrera: 359.
  • Ngäbe-Buglé comarca: 129.
  • Coclé: 66.
  • Chiriquí: 14.

Damage counted so far

  • Homes evaluated: 19,865, covering 63,767 people in ten provinces and the Ngäbe-Buglé comarca (Sinaproc via TVN).
  • 4,633 homes with total damage, 11,107 with moderate or partial damage and 4,125 with minor damage.
  • More than 853 schools and 120 health facilities inspected.
  • Food aid: 81,229 bags delivered by the IMA in 1,548 communities.
  • Sinaproc says its figures are preliminary and may change as field checks are validated.

Schools

  • Education Minister Ventura Vega said on 3 November that 85 schools damaged by the quake are still waiting to be demolished (Telemetro).
  • The goal is to have most of them ready for the start of the 2027 school year on 3 March 2027. Vega said each school is different and some may take longer.

What the government says

  • President José Raúl Mulino used the 3 November ceremonies to ask for patience. "We will deliver your homes and rebuild hospitals and schools," he said (Presidency release via the Foreign Ministry).
  • The same release says the government has set aside a B/.100 million trust fund for recovery work.

Paperwork is slowing some families

  • In Mariato (Veraguas), Crítica reported on 3 November that families seeking government help are being asked for documents proving they own their land, and even the plot size in square metres, which many cannot provide. Mayor Ángel Batista told the paper that three shelters remain open in Torio and one in Malena, and that families whose homes were destroyed now face new administrative hurdles.
  • On 20 October a Miviot architect, Roberto Villarreal, told TVN that families who built on land belonging to parents or other relatives can present possessory rights (derechos posesorios) when there is no property title.
  • An analysis published by Bulla on 27 October says many destroyed homes in the interior stood on untitled national land, and that housing programmes need a registered property (finca) and an owner to open a file.

A push for a national quake warning system

  • Néstor Luque, director of the University of Panama's Institute of Geosciences, said on 3 November that a national seismic early-warning system would cost USD 1.5 million to 3 million and should have permanent funding in the state budget (La Estrella).
  • He said Panama has 65 seismic stations, not all working at full capacity, and that the institute has recorded more than 1,150 aftershocks.

What it means for expats

  • If you live in Azuero, Veraguas or Coclé and your home was damaged, make sure it has been evaluated and registered. Keep copies of your cédula or residence card, photos of the damage and any Sinaproc or Miviot paperwork.
  • Check how you hold your land. Many rural and beach properties in Azuero are sold as possessory rights (derechos posesorios) rather than titled property. The aid process shows why a registered title matters. If you are buying, ask your lawyer to confirm the finca number in the Public Registry.
  • Families with children in public schools in the affected provinces should expect some campuses to stay closed into 2027. Ask the school directly about its plan for March.
  • If you want to help, give through established channels and ask the organisation how it reaches families still in shelters.

Sources

  • TVN - Nearly a month after the quake, 3,356 people remain in shelters, says Sinaproc - 3 Nov 2026
  • Sinaproc - Official statement #24 (COE count to 27 Oct: 141 shelters, 4,501 people) - 28 Oct 2026
  • Crítica - Nearly 20,000 homes checked, 4,633 in ruins - 2 Nov 2026
  • Telemetro - Meduca has 85 schools awaiting demolition, minister says - 3 Nov 2026
  • Foreign Ministry (Presidency release) - Mulino at the 3 November ceremonies - 3 Nov 2026
  • Crítica - Quake victims in Mariato asked for property titles - 3 Nov 2026
  • TVN - Miviot explains documents for the quake housing register - 20 Oct 2026
  • Bulla - Rebuilding in the interior first requires solving missing land titles (analysis) - 27 Oct 2026
  • La Estrella de Panamá - Geosciences proposes up to USD 3 million for a quake alert system - 3 Nov 2026