Following a powerful earthquake in southwestern Panama, the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) has dispatched almost 20 tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies worth more than €150,000 to the affected region. The delivery aims to support people affected by the disaster and improve their living conditions in the aftermath of the earthquake. The supplies include kitchen sets, blankets, camp beds, tarpaulins and water filters.
In early October 2026, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southwestern Panama at a depth of approximately ten kilometres. Around 900 buildings and critical infrastructure in the transport, energy, communications and healthcare sectors were damaged. The earthquake has created significant challenges for affected communities in addressing the consequences of the disaster and restoring essential services.
The relief shipment includes 780 kitchen sets, more than 500 blankets, approximately 820 camp beds, 900 tarpaulins and 1,000 water filters. Funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, the supplies were assembled at the THW logistics centre in Bavaria and transported to Cologne Bonn Airport. From there, the THW handed over the shipment to the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) for transport to Panama. The operation was carried out in cooperation with the Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry of the Interior. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul handed over the relief supplies during his visit to Panama.
This operation highlights the importance of international cooperation and effective logistical structures in disaster relief. With approximately 88,000 volunteers across Germany, THW plays an important role in civil protection and disaster management. On behalf of the German Federal Government, the organisation also provides international assistance through bilateral relief operations, technical and logistical support within the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, and missions on behalf of United Nations organisations.
Further information about THW’s national and international activities can be found here.