Panama Announces 1,300 New Homes for Families Who Lost Houses in Earthquake

PANAMA CITY, October 13, 2026 — Panama’s government says it will begin debris-removal work for the first 1,300 new homes planned for families who lost their houses in the October 9 earthquake, while assessments continue across the central provinces.

The announcement places housing recovery at the center of the next stage of the emergency response. Officials said the initial priority will be households whose homes are uninhabitable, particularly families that include children, older adults or people in vulnerable circumstances.

How the housing response is expected to work

The Ministry of Housing and Land Management, known as MIVIOT, said equipment, technical staff and materials are being organized for work in Los Santos, Herrera, Coclé and Veraguas. The first step is debris removal, which is intended to make damaged sites safe and allow construction work to begin more quickly.

Families awaiting reconstruction are expected to be placed in temporary shelters or rental accommodation, according to the government update. Regional centers in the four provinces are also expected to serve as distribution points for materials needed for homes requiring partial repairs rather than full replacement.

Assessments remain the basis for eligibility

The government reported that roughly 1,704 homes had been evaluated and that more than 6,000 people had been affected in their housing situation at the time of the update. Those figures are preliminary and may change as technical teams continue assessments.

For affected families, the important distinction is between a home that needs limited repair and one judged unsafe for occupation. Officials have said technical reviews, not informal observations alone, will guide the recovery response.

Why the announcement matters

Reconstruction plans can provide a clearer path for families who cannot safely remain in damaged homes. But rebuilding also depends on debris removal, logistics, materials, local conditions and ongoing engineering evaluations. Panama Now Online will continue to follow official updates as the program moves from announcement to on-the-ground work.

Source: Presidency of Panama