HIAS Panama provides educational courses to displaced children at the Lajas Blancas migration reception post on October 22, 2024. (Nadege Mazars for HIAS)

Panama

HIAS Panama provides educational courses to displaced children at the Lajas Blancas migration reception post on October 22, 2024. (Nadege Mazars for HIAS)

Founded

2010

Contact

+507 391 5171

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Panama is both a transit and host country for refugees, displaced people, and migrants in Latin America. While migration policies have changed across the Americas, hundreds of thousands of displaced people still need humanitarian assistance as they move across the country, particularly in the border areas of Darien and Chiriquí.

In 2025, Panama hosted more than 155,000 displaced people, including over 5,000 refugees and 36,500 asylum seekers. More than half of those in need of protection come from Venezuela, while thousands of others originate from countries across Central America.

HIAS has supported refugees and displaced people in Panama since 2010. HIAS Panama provides displaced people with protection services and mental health care, as well as works to end violence against women and girls.

Our Work

HIAS Panama helps refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants access dignified and sustainable livelihoods, improving their self-reliance. We collaborate with local communities and NGOs to foster the integration of refugees, creating safe spaces where refugees and members of the host community collaborate on community projects and address shared challenges.

A HIAS legal client sits and talks with a client in this thumbnail for the video

We protect refugees and displaced people by offering legal support, preventing and responding to violence against women and girls, looking after children’s rights, providing safe housing, ensuring access to food, and resettling refugees. These approaches are all tailored to local contexts and are designed to strengthen communities to support people forced to flee violence and persecution.

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Support Community Mental Health

HIAS’ community-based mental health programs promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities affected by crisis and conflict so they can heal and rebuild their lives.

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A HIAS legal client sits and talks with a client in this thumbnail for the video

We protect refugees and displaced people by offering legal support, preventing and responding to violence against women and girls, looking after children’s rights, providing safe housing, ensuring access to food, and resettling refugees. These approaches are all tailored to local contexts and are designed to strengthen communities to support people forced to flee violence and persecution.

Learn more

Impact Story

In partnership with AECID and the Red Cross, HIAS Panama staff host a multi-services fair in Puerto Lara for local indigenous community members in February 2026 (Lindsay Kagalis/HIAS).

In partnership with AECID and the Red Cross, HIAS Panama staff host a multi-services fair in Puerto Lara for local indigenous community members in February 2026 (Lindsay Kagalis/HIAS).

Empowering Women in Indigenous Host Communities

Between 2021 and 2024, hundreds of thousands of people crossed the Darien Gap. During that time, many indigenous communities greeted the migrants and asylum seekers, providing much needed relief. Even though these communities don’t have much, they stepped up to welcome people in transit.

In 2025, the U.S. government began implementing draconian immigration policies that restricted the right to asylum. At first, many asylum seekers decided to stay in Mexico or they began a “reverse migration” south back to their home countries. But by this year, very few people are crossing the Darien Gap or transiting near the indigenous host communities, such as in the Emberá Wounaan region in Panama.

Many organizations departed or decreased operations, leaving behind communities that still needed assistance. At HIAS, we knew we needed to stay and support these host communities that had stood in solidarity with migrants and asylum seekers when they needed help.

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Statements

Jul 13, 2026

HIAS Panamá impulsa la inclusión económica con el lanzamiento de su Programa Piloto Fondo Rotatorio

Sep 19, 2025

Displaced People Along the Darien Gap Received Protection and Health Assistance

Oct 11, 2024

New Partnership to Protect 14,000 Refugee and Migrant Women and Girls in Panama and Costa Rica  

Aug 19, 2024

39,000 People Along Darien Gap To Receive Life-Saving Protection and Health Assistance
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HIAS’ services are free. If someone tries to charge you for services claiming they represent HIAS, please report it at our confidential email address: ethics@hias.org. HIAS has a zero-tolerance policy on fraud and corruption. 

For any other inquiries please email us at info@hias.org.

Together, we can help create a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunity.

Your gift will help us provide vital services to refugees and asylum seekers and advocate for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

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