Panama’s main donation collection center at Parque Omar in Panama City has officially closed, with authorities announcing that earthquake relief donations will now be received at two new locations starting Monday, October 19. The Office of the First Lady confirmed the change as the country continues mobilizing aid for families affected by the powerful earthquake that struck on October 9.
What Happened
According to a statement from the Despacho de la Primera Dama (Office of the First Lady), the Parque Omar collection center closed at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 18. The facility had been set up to receive donations for families affected by the earthquake of October 9.
From Monday, October 19, onward, donations of humanitarian aid will be received at two new facilities: one in Panama Pacífico and another in Albrook. The First Lady’s office urged donors to direct their contributions to these locations going forward.
Background
A strong earthquake shook Panama on October 9, causing damage that left numerous families in need of assistance. In the immediate aftermath, the government enabled collection centers, including the one at Parque Omar — one of Panama City’s most emblematic public parks — to channel public generosity into organized relief efforts.
Such collection centers are a common first response mechanism in Panama, allowing citizens, businesses, and community organizations to donate essential supplies such as food, water, clothing, and hygiene products. The transition from an emergency collection point to permanent facilities typically reflects the shift from the initial emergency phase to a sustained relief and recovery operation.
What This Means for Panama
The closure of the Parque Omar center signals that the emergency response is entering a new stage. The two new locations — Panama Pacífico, the former U.S. military base area redeveloped on the outskirts of the capital, and Albrook, home to the national bus terminal and municipal airport — offer larger, more logistically suitable spaces for receiving, sorting, and distributing donations over a longer period.
For donors, the key takeaway is practical: contributions should no longer be taken to Parque Omar. Anyone wishing to help earthquake-affected families should bring donations to the Panama Pacífico or Albrook facilities, and should verify with the Office of the First Lady what supplies are most needed.
The move also suggests the relief effort is preparing for continued operations, indicating that needs among affected families remain significant more than a week after the earthquake. Observers will be watching how distribution to affected communities proceeds and when authorities determine that donation volumes are sufficient to meet demand.
This story was originally reported by Telemetro.