PANAMA

PADF has worked in Panama since 2021 implementing a two-year project funded by the Department of State’s Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) aimed at providing life-saving humanitarian assistance and protection to vulnerable migrants and refugees traveling through the Darien and Chiriquí provinces of Panama. We partner with the Panamanian Red Cross (CRP in Spanish) in the provinces of Darien and Chiriquí.

Impact

PADF provides mental health support to migrants through its full-time psychologists in Darien and Chiriquí, especially focused on emotional resiliency and responding to trauma experienced during and before the migration journey.
PADF’s local partner CRP supports migrants with access to key services, including phone communication with family members, WASH, health and nutrition, shelter, MHPSS, and information on accessing protection mechanisms.
PADF offers strategic support to Panama’s National Migration Service and border authority, SENAFRONT, in order to strengthen their ability to address migration requests in a timely and efficient way.

Other Work

PADF also maintains relationships with regional bodies located in Panama, which are engaged in the deployment of materials and resources following disasters such as hurricanes affecting the Caribbean. In addition, Panama plays a prominent role in PADF’s STEM Americas strategy that promotes the development of skills that youth need to thrive in the 21st century. PADF expects to continue expanding its presence in Panama to address issues of regional importance such as supporting inclusion of vulnerable people, addressing corruption, and preparing and responding to natural disasters.