Water System Repairs After the Panama Earthquake
Requesting URGENT SUPPORT from our donors
Total Project Cost: $3,000 to $7,000 per community water system
Project Location: Eastern Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé and the mountains of Veraguas, Panama
Project & Program Background
On October 9, 2026, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Panama, followed by more than 100 aftershocks. Since 2002, WEFTA and its sister organization Waterlines have helped more than 160 indigenous communities in this region build and maintain small gravity-fed water systems. Many of those systems are now damaged.
Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) Concerns
Communities are reporting cracked spring captures, damaged storage tanks, and broken transmission lines where hillsides gave way. When a spring box or main line fails, families must haul water from unprotected streams, raising the risk of waterborne illness, especially for children. Heavy rains on unstable slopes threaten further damage.
Proposed Projects
- Assess: WEFTA circuit riders and water committees document damage and set repair priorities.
- Repair: Restore water flow quickly by fixing breaks in lines, spring captures and tanks.
- Rebuild: Replace damaged structures and reroute lines away from unstable ground so systems are more resilient.
Sustainability Considerations
Each community owns and operates its system through a trained water committee. Communities will provide labor and local materials, and WEFTA volunteers will donate engineering and follow-up visits.
Community Engagement
The Water Committee hosts WEFTA during site visits and coordinates local participation. Community members volunteer labor and assist with installation of the distribution system. Their involvement reduces project costs and strengthens ownership of the improved water system.
How You Can Help
Because each system is small, an individual, congregation, club or school can sponsor all or part of a community’s repairs. Donate today and designate your gift to the Panama Earthquake Water System Repairs, or contact us to learn more.
If you would like additional information about this project, please contact us.
Donate NOW to these URGENT Water System Repairs
above 70% in the indigenous areas of Panama, known as comarcas.
low levels of access to basic resourcessuch as adequate clean water and sanitation.
Our commitment is to the long-term successof the projects we’re involved with and it doesn’t stop when construction is complete.