Residents of the Omar Torrijos neighborhood in Soná, Veraguas have now spent a full month living in makeshift tents at the local fairgrounds, with no confirmed timeline for permanent post-earthquake housing solutions. The families were displaced after a seismic event rendered their homes structurally unsafe, forcing them into temporary shelters where they continue to sleep, cook, and carry out daily routines in shared spaces.
The shelters, erected on the grounds of the Veraguas Fair in Soná, currently house children, adults, and elderly residents. Each family unit has carved out a small area with chairs, water containers, food supplies, and basic cooking equipment. The arrangement leaves residents exposed to Soná’s characteristic high temperatures and unpredictable weather conditions.
Post-Earthquake Housing Uncertainty Grows Among Displaced Families
Local officials have indicated that assistance with construction materials may be forthcoming, but no concrete distribution plan has been announced. Ingrid, a resident of Omar Torrijos, acknowledged the difficult circumstances while maintaining a measured outlook.
“For now we are okay, thank God” [Translated from Spanish]
But that patience is wearing thin. Another resident voiced frustration over the lack of clear direction from authorities, noting that returning home isn’t an option given the structural damage. The families say they need actionable answers, not just assurances.
Residents Propose Alternative Shelter Site Near Cemetery
Some displaced residents have floated an unconventional proposal. They suggest authorities could clear land near the local cemetery to establish a more permanent shelter arrangement.
“What we need is to go to our house or, perhaps, that they clean the cemetery quickly so we can make some shelter there and go home and be safer” [Translated from Spanish]
The suggestion reflects growing desperation among families who feel the fairground tents offer neither security nor dignity. The cemetery area, they argue, would at least provide a more stable base while they await reconstruction assistance.
Living Conditions and Next Steps for Soná’s Displaced
The fairground shelters lack adequate protection from the elements. Daytime heat in Soná regularly reaches uncomfortable levels, and rain poses additional challenges for families sleeping under canvas. No official relocation timeline has been communicated to residents.
Community members continue to press for clarity on two fronts: when they can return to repaired homes, and what interim accommodations will be provided. The earthquake damage in Omar Torrijos has left multiple dwellings uninhabitable, and assessments of the full scope of needed repairs remain ongoing. For now, the families wait, counting each day since the tremor first upended their lives.
