Adventist Church Mobilizes Nationwide Relief After Panama Earthquake: ADRA Collection Centers Open Across the Country
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Panama has launched a nationwide relief effort following the strong earthquake that struck on October 9, the church's Inter-American Division reported on October 23. Through the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Panama, the church has mobilized volunteers and activated collection centers across its local fields to provide food, drinking water, hygiene products, clothing and other essential supplies.
The earthquake, centered near Tonosí in southern Panama, caused widespread damage particularly in Los Santos, Herrera, Veraguas and Coclé provinces. More than 27,000 people have reported damage to their homes, according to an October 17 update from Panama's National Civil Protection System cited by the church, which reported one person dead and 27 injured. Approximately 10 Adventist churches and dozens of Adventist families have been affected. "We have collection centers in every local field, and supplies are already being sent to those affected," said Pastor Jose Smith, president of the Panama Union. More than 200 aftershocks have followed, and damage to water treatment facilities supplying the capital has disrupted services.
ADRA Panama director Ennar Arriojas is coordinating the response. The Central Panama Conference is serving as a major distribution hub, while the Metropolitan Conference, Western Conference and Southeast Mission have also opened collection centers, with church members, Pathfinders and youth volunteers receiving, sorting and preparing donations.
Smith said at least 86 Adventist families are known to have sustained damage to their houses and will be assisted, and congregations across Panama have organized prayer initiatives for affected families. ADRA Panama and local church leaders plan to continue providing assistance as they identify families needing longer-term support during recovery.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 救灾捐赠物资整理现场（资料图）。David and Jessie Cowhig 摄，CC BY 2.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Relief donation supplies being organized (file photo). Photo by David and Jessie Cowhig, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
