The president of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo, greeted the results of the humanitarian operation Mercurio VI that brings health and education aid to indigenous territories of difficult access, it was reported today.
According to a press release from the Palacio de las Garzas (seat of the Executive), the President toured the community of Mina Zorra, in the Ngäbe-Buglé region (Bocas del Toro), where two classroom modules were installed to replace ranch schools, with the support of Task Force Bravo of the US Southern Command and the Ministry of Security.
The project benefits 419 preschool, primary, and secondary school students, and includes seven new prefabricated classrooms that improve the school’s conditions and favor the students’ education, according to the note.
At the end of Mercurio VI operation, the report adds, the construction of 27 modular classrooms will complete a total of 300 in this administration.
The operation is also carrying out an amplified health tour for the benefit of some 10,179 inhabitants of this area in the western part of the country.
The health services include vaccination, medical and nursing care, nutritional evaluation, laboratory sampling, environmental sanitation, pharmacy, and follow-up of epidemiological cases already identified.
During his visit, the Colmena Conecta Pilot Plan was launched to improve the quality of life and sustainable development in the communities of Sirote and Mina Zorra in the Ngäbe Bugle region.
Cortizo also visited the Collection Center of the National Naval Air Service air base in the town of Rambala, where he received an explanation of the scope of the Mercurio VI humanitarian operation.
He also said the Public Force component and the inter-institutional team are the same that participated in Operation PanavaC-19 in which the vaccination against COVID-19 was applied and he emphasized that now they are working as a team again.
Task Force Bravo belongs to the U.S. Army Southern Command and is based in Honduras from where they activate operations of this type throughout the region.
The Mercurio VI humanitarian exercise is supported by 84 members of this foreign unit with CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk cargo helicopters.
In addition, the air, naval, and ground equipment of the Panamanian Public Force and the participation of more than 132 troops in logistics tasks. (https://www.plenglish.com/news/2024/02/29/panamanian-president-welcomes-humanitarian-operation-in-the-country/)
