---
title: "NRC in Panama"
description: "The number of refugees and migrants passing through Panama is at an all-time high. Many of them arrive after crossing the Darién Gap – often referred to as the world’s most dangerous jungle – in a bid to reach the United States."
url: "https://www.nrc.no/countries/south-america/panama"
language: "en"
published: "2025-03-20T15:19:17Z"
modified: "2026-09-22T13:53:23Z"
---

# NRC in Panama

Alberto waited more than five years for a response to his asylum application, only for it to be denied. Photo: Milena Ayala/NRC

Panama is both a destination and part of changing migration routes across the Americas. People fleeing crisis, refugees and migrants in the country continue to need protection.

Published 20. Mar 2025 Updated 22. Sep 2026

[Panama](https://www.nrc.no/themes?categoryId=256)

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) supports refugees and migrants in Panama with food, shelter and safe drinking water – as well as providing vital legal advice and protection from harm. Working closely with host communities is key to maintaining local goodwill and preventing community tension amid migration.

## What’s happening in Panama?

Panama is transit point and a destination for people fleeing crisis, although very few who apply receive official refugee status. While overall transit through the country has declined significantly over the past year, refugees and migrants continue to cross Panama in both direction – moving toward the northern border and reversing course south – as stricter protection and migration policies across the region force many to turn around.

Panama is currently home to over 60,000 refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from Latin American nations including Colombia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, El Salvador, and Cuba. While the country continues to serve as a key place of refuge, formal refugee recognition stays low, leaving many in socio-economic vulnerability.

Overall displacement of refugees and migrants through the Darién Gap has declined following tighter regional border policies, shifting dynamics toward two-way movement as many individuals are now heading south in reverse transit. Facing continuous protection risks and limited access to formal integration, this population relies heavily on sustained humanitarian assistance and support for local host communities to maintain social cohesion.

## Our response

Across Panama, we’re working with our partners in the following areas:

- **Water, sanitation and hygiene** – distributing hygiene and sanitation kits, improving access to wells, pumps and water treatment facilities, and teaching good hygiene practices.
- **Shelter and settlements** – providing families with shelter solutions.
- **Protection from violence** – ensuring refugees, migrant and host families stay safe.
- **Information, counselling and legal assistance** – helping people access legal documentation, procedures and support to exercise their rights.

[Download the factsheet for NRC in Colombia, Ecuador and Panama](https://www.nrc.no/resources/fact-sheets/nrc-colombia--fact-sheet)

## Our operations

**NRC office established:** 2019

**Areas of operation:** Chiriqui, Darien, Panama, West Panama

**Country Director:** Giovanni Rizzo

**Contact:** [co.nrc@nrc.no](mailto:co.nrc@nrc.no)

## Our impact

In 2025, we assisted 3,574 people through our programmes in Panama:

- 31

  Shelter and settlements
- 3,528

  Information, counselling and legal assistance
- 448

  Multi-purpose cash assistance

***Note:** some people received more than one type of assistance.*

### News and stories

## ["The jungle may swallow you": Surviving the Darien Gap](https://www.nrc.no/feature/2023/the-jungle-may-swallow-you-surviving-the-darien-gap)

14. Apr 2023 | Feature

## [Strengthening displaced women’s rights](https://www.nrc.no/news/2015/april/strengthening-displaced-womens-rights)

07. Apr 2015 | Palestine|Panama

[More news and stories](https://www.nrc.no/search?searchCategories=123,125,172,335,256&searchMethod=1)

### Publications

## [Securing land rights for Colombian refugee women in Ecuador and Panama](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/securing-land-rights-for-colombian-refugee-women-in-ecuador-and-panama)

23. Mar 2015 | Colombia|Ecuador|Panama

## [Derecho a vivienda, tierra y propiedad de mujeres desplazadas. Caso Panamá: Marco normativo nacional e internacional](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/derecho-a-vivienda-tierra-y-propiedad-de-mujeres-desplazadas-caso-panama)

12. Sep 2014 | Panama

[More publications](https://www.nrc.no/search?searchCategories=124,131,132,175,178,314,315,256&searchMethod=1)

**Region:** Central America  
**Population:** 4.57 million  
**Refugees hosted:** 64,109