Weather

Comarca flood victims request water, supplies

Residents of communities in the Comarca Ngöbe Buglé devastated by last week’s floods repeated their request for food and supplies. Bottled water is especially crucial, since debris in the receding floodwaters have rendered the area’s water supply unsuitable for drinking.

Martín Bejerano Santos, of Soloy, asked for canned food, clothing, blankets, pots and pans and other cooking utensils for the more than 300 people taking shelter at facilities sponsored by local churches and the Ministerio de Desarrollo Social (Mides).

Bejerano reported that the body of his brother, Pliny, surfaced yesterday afternoon near the Río Fonseca. Rescue workers with Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil (Sinaproc) continued to search for three people missing since Wednesday. Two others from the community of Soloy were confirmed dead.

On a visit to the affected communities last week, President Martín Torrijos pledged to provide aid and temporary housing for the flood victims.