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Panama

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been working in Panama since 1989. In 2010, the organization signed a headquarters agreement with the Panamanian government, under which a mission was established in the country. In 2024, the mission became part of the regional delegation for Mexico and Central America.

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An ICRC staff member in discussion with Sembrando Paz vivarium manager at La Joya prison, Panama City.

Our work in Panama

We work in coordination with our International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners, in particular, the Red Cross Society of Panama, and with other organizations operating in the country in order to strengthen humanitarian action and promote respect for international humanitarian law.

Our work in Panama is supported by our regional delegation in Mexico, which also covers the ICRC’s humanitarian action in Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Belize. For more information, please visit the Mexico webpage.

Our work in Panama is supported by our regional delegation in Mexico, which also covers the ICRC’s humanitarian activities in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Belize. For more information, please visit the Mexico page.

Our services in Panama

  • The ICRC supports the Red Cross Society of Panama in strengthening its exclusively humanitarian work to assist and protect people in need as part of its role as auxiliary to the government. We encourage states to fulfil their obligations to protect the lives of vulnerable people, preserve their dignity and alleviate their suffering. To this end, we engage in confidential bilateral dialogue with the authorities and security forces, with a view to raising awareness about applicable law and humanitarian needs.

  • We provide technical support to the Red Cross Society of Panama, in its role as auxiliary to the public authorities, in order to enhance its capacities in protecting family unity. The aim of this support is to promote and implement activities to restore and maintain contact between family members and help establish the fate and whereabouts of missing people.

  • The ICRC works in coordination with the National Society to raise awareness about international humanitarian law and international human rights law. To this end, we maintain a relationship based on bilateral technical cooperation with the Panamanian authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Contact us

Address

Clayton, City of Knowledge. Evelio Lara Street, House 133B, Panama City, Panama

Telephone

+507 370 4881

Opening Hours:

8am–5pm

Write to us

Media contact

Ms Marcela MÉNDEZ MARTÍNEZ

Telephone

+52 55 2755 1794
Contact

Our work with the Red Cross Society of Panama

We work closely with the Red Cross Society of Panama to strengthen the activities carried out by its volunteers, particularly with regard to the Safer Access Framework and the minimum protection approach.

We also join forces to promote and spread knowledge of international humanitarian law.

Go the the Red Cross page