Through the "Promoting peaceful coexistence in the response to COVID-19 for migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable populations in Central America and the Caribbean" Project, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the European Union, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) seek to make a contribution to the work carried out by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Panama (MINSA for its Spanish acronym) by making a donation of hygiene supplies and health protection equipment so the appropriate biosecurity measures can be taken by the medical personnel of health entities at the local level in the communities of Las Mañanitas, in the Municipality of Panama; Amelia Denis de Icaza and Omar Torrijos, in the Municipality of San Miguelito; Herrera and Barrio Colón, in La Chorrera.

In addition, the donation aims to improve access to health services for migrants, refugees and host populations, contribute to improve the government's response capacities to address conflict-sensitive challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and improve access to health for migrants, refugees and host populations.

Among the supplies donated are 240 gallons of alcohol, 40,800 masks, 188 gallons of hospital-grade Envirosep, 120 gallons of liquid soap, 2 digital displays with pedestal support and 4 dispensers of alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

The event was attended by the managers of the health centers of the communities of Las Mañanitas, Amelia Denis de Icaza, Omar Torrijos, Altos de San Francisco, MINSA CAPSI El Coco,and the health posts of Las Yayas and Zanguenga. On the other hand, there was also the presence of a representative of the European Union, whose support was indispensable for this donation.

"We hope that our contribution will boost the work carried out by the Ministry of Health, which has been made possible through the financial contribution of the European Union to whom we extend our gratitude for their support to make migration safe, orderly and dignified. And for our part, we reaffirm our commitment to leave no one behind!", said Santiago Paz, Head of the Global Administrative Centre and IOM's Mission in Panama.

There is a general need to support governments in their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that these populations are not left behind. The risk of conflict and insecurity is high due to the far-reaching effects of the pandemic that bring with them an increase in the basic needs of the general population..

As borders remain partially or totally closed and the needs of health systems become more latent, IOM has the operational capacity in the region and institutional expertise to support governments in their efforts to mitigate conflicts that may arise between migrant populations and host communities as a result of the pandemic, while supporting the

states' efforts to include the entire population, especially those most vulnerable, within health services.

These actions are funded by the European Union through its Instrument for Stability and Peace (IcSP), and implemented through a multi-partner cooperation agreement with IOM and UNHCR in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Haiti.

Through IcSP, the European Union once again reaffirms its commitment to promote integration and peaceful coexistence by contributing with the strengthening in health response and an environment that protects the most affected communities due to the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak.

Por medio de IcSP, la Unión Europea una vez más reafirma su compromiso de promover la integración y la coexistencia pacífica al contribuir con el fortalecimiento de la respuesta en salud y un ambiente que proteja a las comunidades más afectadas por el brote de la pandemia del Covid-19.

For more information, please contact Mayteé Zachrisson, IOM Panama Communications and Media Assistant, at mzachrisson@iom.int.