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Chabad SOSPlaya Venao

At 12:56 p.m. on October 9, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake tore through the Azuero Peninsula. By nightfall, families who had lost everything were sleeping in the hills under an open sky. Today, with a leader in each of our 15 communities, we are supporting all 5,068 people who live there — every one of them affected.

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40+ tons of foodand supplies received from partners
2,500 family kitsdelivered in 210 distribution runs
3,981 hot mealsserved since October 10
Rabbi Yariv Klein and the Chabad SOS team with residents at a community camp

What happened · 12:56 p.m. · magnitude 7.5

Azuero shook
on October 9

The scale of the disaster becomes clearer by the day. Three in four of the homes evaluated are here, in Los Santos and Herrera, where our 15 communities are.

Our 15 communities (locations approximate)Epicenter, 39 km NW of Tonosí
Map of the Azuero Peninsula with the earthquake-affected area in red Pacific Ocean Gulf of Montijo Los Asientos El Ciruelo Playa Venao Cañas Isla de Cañas Agua Buena Ojo de Agua El Cacao Búcaro Tonosí Flores Río Viejo del Solar Guánico El Joaquín El Cortezo Tonosí Playa Venao Isla de Cañas Los Asientos Azuero Peninsula Chitré Las Tablas Macaracas Epicenter · M 7.5
37,210people affected (SINAPROC/COEN, Oct 21)
3,390homes destroyed; 7,883 more with moderate or partial damage
38,000people in need of humanitarian assistance, 8,300 of them children (UNICEF)
13,985homes evaluated; three in four of them in Los Santos and Herrera
A man stands where his home stood, among broken concrete blocks
A home destroyed in one of our communities

Homes destroyed

3,390 homes destroyed and 7,883 more damaged, and the count is still rising: aftershocks of up to magnitude 6.0 continue to topple damaged houses. Three in four of the homes evaluated are in Los Santos and Herrera, where our 15 communities are.

A classroom with collapsed ceiling, rubble on the floor and children’s chairs
A classroom after the earthquake

Every school closed

853 schools inspected for damage across the region (COEN, Oct 24). Every school in our 15 communities remains closed.

Sources: SINAPROC/COEN preliminary balances, October 9–24, 2026; UNICEF; MINSA statements of October 10, 12, 19 and 20; PAHO SitReps 1–2; INEC Censo de Población y Vivienda 2023.

The need now · through November 30

The ground is still moving.
So is the need.

Three weeks on, the situation is worsening. Aftershocks, some as strong as magnitude 6.0, keep bringing down houses the first quake cracked, and the rains have begun. Families must stay sheltered, healthy and fed while homes, schools and work remain out of reach — and floods and mosquito-borne disease threaten the region further.

A mother and her son in the tent where they now sleep
A family’s tent, in the rainy season

A dry place to sleep

Families are still sleeping in tents and in the open. Every aftershock sends more out of homes that are cracked but standing, and floods and a lack of materials keep others from going back.

An older man in a wheelchair at home with his family and a visiting officer
A home visit in one of our communities

Medical care within reach

Hospitals across the region were evacuated or moved into tents; the nearest to our communities has run from tents since October 10. 215 patients were transferred, 14 by air. Among the affected: 110 pregnant women and 1,511 people with disabilities.

A team member checks an expectant mother’s blood pressure at a community camp
A blood-pressure check at a community camp

Protection from disease

Mosquito-borne disease is a growing risk for families in tents. Fogging every three days, nets, repellent and clean drinking water have to continue through early December.

Children at an art and play therapy workshop at Terracotta
An art therapy workshop at Terracotta

Therapy for children and mothers

1,106 children live in our 15 communities, every school is closed, and families are living in tents. In a two-week pilot, 120 children and 20 mothers came to art and play therapy; in November the workshops can take 30 children a day, 22 days.

From the Chabad SOS Impact Report of October 29, 2026; SINAPROC/COEN preliminary balances, October 9–24.

Our impact · as of October 31, 2026

Our work started the moment
the earthquake stopped

We were cooking for families the day after the quake, and we have not stopped. Our team works from Playa Venao, at the center of the affected area, under Rabbi Yariv Klein, with a leader in each of our 15 communities.

5,068people supported: every resident of our 15 communities, 1,106 of them children
2,500family kits delivered in 210 distribution runs
3,981hot meals served, October 10–31
40+ tonsof food and supplies received from partners

Every resident

All 5,068 people in our 15 communities were affected. We support every one of them: 3,962 adults and 1,106 children.

A leader in every community

In daily contact with our team. They tell us what is needed; we bring it on regular routes.

Every delivery counted

210 distribution runs so far. Donors receive counts, photos and receipts.

Open to everyone

If you live in one of our 15 communities, you are one of ours. No registration, no conditions, no one turned away.

A volunteer carries fuel on horseback through deep mud
Where trucks could not pass, fuel went in on horseback.

Shelter

  • 700tents
  • 400mattresses
  • 300tarps
  • 200canopy shelters

Kits

  • 1,000Chabad SOS one-week family kits
  • 300hygiene kits
  • 375diaper packs
  • 125children’s toy kits
  • 100solar light kits
  • 75cleaning kits

Health and care

  • 800mosquito nets
  • 15communities fogged every 3 days
  • 34clinic consultations for 29 patients
  • 140children and mothers in art workshops
A farmer and a woman holding blankets and bedding outside their home
Bedding for a family in the hills
A mother and her son with food bags at the Support and Distribution Center
A weekly food kit, collected at the Support and Distribution Center
Families gathered under a blue tarp at a community camp
Our team with residents at a community camp
The Chabad Venao SOS Support Center, a metal warehouse with a banner
Our Support and Distribution Center in Green Venao

Program figures are the team’s own records as of October 27–31, 2026 (kitchen to October 31; others to October 29); shelter and kit counts as of October 23. Tons received and families (about 1,990) are estimates. Population: INEC Censo 2023, village counts for our 15 communities.

Projects · Phase I, October 15 – November 30

Our projects

Six projects, each with a named manager, each reported back to donors with counts, photos and receipts. A gift can be restricted to the project you choose.

What the next weeks require · October 15 – November 30

18,800
hot meals, October 15 – November 30
2,000
weekly food kits: 500 families, four weeks
2,000
insecticide-treated nets, one per family
8,000
units of mosquito repellent
40,000 L
of drinking water
~14
fogging rounds, every three days through early December
100
pregnant women and new mothers to be cared for
22
therapy workshop days in November

Six projects deliver it · select one to see what it has done and what comes next

A doctor checks a patient's blood pressure at the free clinic
01

Free medical clinic

The free clinic at Green Venao, with Btesh Foundation doctors — free care close to home for our 15 communities.

34 consultations · 29 patients
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Opened October 17 at Green Venao with doctors from the Fundación Alberto y Pamela Btesh, bringing free care close to home for families in our 15 communities.

34consultations
29patients treated
5clinic days held

What we have done

  • Consultations, wound care, medicines and psychological care
  • Clinic days on October 18, 21, 23, 24 and 26
  • Medicines given in 15 visits; 3 children under 16 treated

What continues

  • A nurse Monday, Wednesday and Friday
  • Doctors on Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Btesh doctors confirmed for every Saturday in November
Serves
Families from all 15 communities
Project manager
Sabrina Piña Mora
In partnership with
Fundación Alberto y Pamela Btesh
A family's tent with a blue tarp, set up after the earthquake
02

Vector control and disease prevention

Night fogging with CADENA every three days across all 15 communities, plus larvicide for standing water.

15 communities · 5,068 people protected
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Families are sleeping in tents and outdoors in the rainy season. Fogging every three days covers each stage of the mosquito life cycle, through early December.

15communities fogged
3days between rounds
~14rounds through early December

What we have done

  • Heavy-duty ULV fogging from pickup trucks, at night, with CADENA, since October 24
  • Chemotrina, approved by the Gorgas Memorial Institute
  • Vectolex larvicide for standing water
  • 800 mosquito nets distributed

What continues

  • Every community fogged every three days
  • Preventive fogging through epidemiological week 49, in early December
  • Nets and repellent in our hygiene kits
Serves
5,068 people in 15 communities
Project manager
Rubén Mendoza
In partnership with
CADENA Panamá
Two volunteers with cases of drinking water at the Support and Distribution Center
03

Support and Distribution Center

Food, hygiene and shelter kits, drinking water and a clothing shop, delivered on regular routes.

2,500 family kits · 210 runs
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Our Support and Distribution Center turns partner donations and local bulk purchases into kits for families, delivered on regular routes to all 15 communities.

2,500family kits delivered
210distribution runs
40+ tfood and supplies received

Kits delivered

  • 2,500 family kits, including 1,000 Chabad SOS one-week kits
  • 300 hygiene kits, 375 diaper packs and 75 cleaning kits
  • 125 children’s toy kits and 100 solar light kits

Shelter and more

  • 800 mosquito nets, 700 tents and 400 mattresses
  • 300 tarps and 200 canopies
  • Drinking water to all 15 communities
  • An on-site clothing shop with donated clothing
Serves
All 15 communities
Project managers
Enja Tajana
Yonatan Landau
Supplied with
Global Empowerment Mission, El Costo and Banco de Alimentos Panamá, among others
Expectant mothers with members of our team
04

Prenatal and new mother care

An urgent-care kit, gynecologist days, transport and follow-up for pregnant women and new mothers.

Up to 100 women
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SINAPROC counts 110 pregnant women among the affected, 51 of them in Los Santos and Herrera. Care sessions for pregnant women began in Ojo de Agua on October 22.

110pregnant women among the affected
100women the program will serve
1 yearof follow-up after birth

What we have done

  • Care and relaxation sessions for pregnant women in Ojo de Agua, with Terracotta
  • Enrollment and visit figures are being collected

What each woman receives

  • An urgent-care kit: vitamins, hygiene items, a net and repellent
  • Gynecologist days and a portable ultrasound
  • Transport to care
  • Follow-up until her baby’s first birthday
Serves
Up to 100 women
Project manager
Menuch Landau
In partnership with
Terracotta
Children at an art and play workshop at Terracotta
05

Children and family therapeutic support

Art and play workshops at Terracotta for children and mothers — free, with kosher hot meals.

120 children · 20 mothers
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A safe, creative place where children can simply be children again. A two-week pilot at Terracotta reached children and mothers from Playa Venao, El Ciruelo and Cañas.

120children
20mothers
420visits

What we have done

  • 10 session days of art and play workshops
  • About 40 children a day, from 3 communities
  • Free for families, with kosher hot meals

What continues in November

  • Workshops for up to 30 children a day, ages 4 and up
  • Women’s workshops in Venao and the Azuero
  • Two village workshops, a family event and a closing festival
Serves
Children and mothers
Project manager
Eden Graziani
In partnership with
Terracotta and Selina
A Chabad SOS cook prepares a large pot of food
06

Humanitarian kitchen

A hot meal every day, cooked in our communities, for anyone who needs one.

3,981 hot meals served
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Hot meals since October 10, the day after the earthquake, and at Green Venao since October 19, for about 200 people a day who cannot yet cook for themselves. The menu is planned every Friday and the kitchen staff rotate weekly.

3,981hot meals served, October 10–31
~205meals a day in the last week
~400meals a day, first week

What we have done

  • 1,574 meals in week one, 1,180 in week two, 1,227 in week three
  • Meals counted by day, with a sign-up that closes each morning at 8:30 and about 20 extra meals for walk-ins
  • At Green Venao since October 19
  • A team of six cooks, a helper and an administrator

Who it serves

  • About 200 people a day who cannot yet cook for themselves; Monday to Friday, about 220
  • Open to the whole community
Serves
About 200 people a day
Project manager
Stefany Miguelena

Project by project · as of October 31

Medical

Free clinic open since October 17 with Btesh Foundation doctors: 34 consultations for 29 patients over 5 clinic days.

Vector control

Night fogging with CADENA every three days across all 15 communities since October 24; 800 nets distributed.

Support and Distribution Center

2,500 family kits in 210 runs; 700 tents, 400 mattresses, 300 tarps, 200 canopies; 40+ tons received.

Prenatal care

Care sessions for pregnant women began in Ojo de Agua on October 22; up to 100 women to be served.

Children and family support

120 children and 20 mothers, 420 visits in the two-week pilot at Terracotta, from three communities.

Humanitarian kitchen

3,981 hot meals from October 10 to 31: 1,574, 1,180 and 1,227 by week; about 205 a day, recorded by day with the menu.

100% to direct relief, for every family in our 15 communities. Chabad SOS Playa Venao absorbs its own administrative costs. Quantities are planning figures from the Giving Menu of October 29, pending supplier quotes.

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Phase I project

Support this project Contact us

With gratitude

Our partners

In the first days after the earthquake, our friends answered the call — with trucks, supplies, expertise and people working side by side with us on the ground. We have not spent one moment on the front lines alone.

Fundación Alberto y Pamela BteshBtesh Foundation
CADENACADENA Panamá
Global Empowerment MissionGlobal Empowerment Mission
Embajada de Israel PanamáEmbassy of Israel in Panama
Keren HayesodKeren Hayesod
El CostoEl Costo
Banco de Alimentos PanamáBanco de Alimentos Panamá
Altos de La PraderaAltos de La Pradera
AdamaAdama
Central de UniformesCentral de Uniformes
Terracotta, arts from natureTerracotta
SelinaSelina
Green VenaoGreen Venao
TitánTitán
100%

to direct relief, for every family in our 15 communities

Donor questions

FAQs

How does my donation help?

100% goes to direct relief in the six Phase I projects — the free medical clinic, vector control, the Support and Distribution Center, prenatal care, children and family therapeutic support, and the humanitarian kitchen. Gifts can be restricted to the project you choose.

Is my gift tax-deductible?

Gifts are received by Chabad Venao Panama Inc, a US 501(c)(3). Please confirm deductibility with your own adviser.

Who receives the aid?

Every resident of the 15 communities we serve — 5,068 people, 1,106 of them children. No one is turned away.

How will I know what my gift did?

A report at two weeks and at the end of Phase I, with counts, photos and receipts. Project donors can visit the communities with our team.