Panama not ready for Haiti/Chile size earthquakes

Panama is not equipped for disasters like the8.8 Richter scale earthquake in Chile, says the director of the country’s National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC), Arturo Alvarado.

"If we were to have an earthquake like that of Chile or Haiti, we are not prepared," he said, but the Panamanian government has taken steps to structure a contingency plan against these risks.
Alvardo said that as part of the plan intends is to increase the SINAPROC budget, which currently stands at $ 2.2 million.

The Panamanian authorities have also earmarked $20 million to the Fire Department for the purchase of special equipment for dealing with disasters.