The United States Embassy in Panama formally delivered the first fire station in the province of Darién, to the Benemérito Fire Department. The opening ceremony in Yaviza was attended by the Minister Counselor of the US Embassy, John Barrett, the Director General of the Fire Department, Víctor Álvarez, and Major General Javier Reina, of the US Southern Command. This project was carried out through the humanitarian assistance program of the United States Southern Command.

“The fire station we delivered today is a symbol of the excellent relationship between the United States and Panama,” said Minister Counselor Barrett during the ceremony in Yaviza. “We are sure that this first fire station will improve the lives of the darienitas and allow them to feel safer. This work is the result of close coordination between the governments of our two countries.”

The Yaviza fire station is expected to benefit approximately 22,000 people from eleven communities: Agua Fría 1, Agua Fría 2, Santa Fe, Metetí, Río Iglesias, Arimae, Quebrada Onda, Zapallal, Yaviza, Sansón and Sansoncito.

This first fire station will improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of the province, allowing to improve the response time in cases of fire and rescue tasks, preventing major accidents and improving the safety of citizens and businesses in the area.

The construction of the Yaviza fire station is the result of close coordination between the United States Southern Command and the Panamanian authorities. In the last 20 years, the United States has allocated about $50 million dollars to Panama in humanitarian assistance projects of this type, through the US Southern Command, which include the construction of health facilities and schools, donation of medical equipment, training to face natural disasters and training in search and rescue operations.