A view over Casco Viejo just before landing at the Panama International Airport, Panama, June 2021

We are in the middle of the rainy season in much of Central America, as well as parts of northern South America. The rains are so heavy that the ceiling in my bathroom started leaking (my flat is on the top floor), and I will need to call the repairing team to fix the issue. My inconveniences are small though. The rains have caused major devastation to countless communities in Guyana, Surinam, parts of northern Brazil, and indeed here in Panama.

The rainy season also reminds us that we are entering the hurricane season in the Caribbean Sea. First alerts of formations of the depressions having a potential of converting to heavy storms have already been reported over the Atlantic - bringing me, and my humanitarian colleagues on our feet, trying to prepare for a possible crisis.

This hurricane season, similarly to the one of 2020 is still marked with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. I am sure that many of you can imagine that dealing with consequences of strong winds, floods, or other occurrences in the middle of the ongoing public health emergency is far from being pretty. We are worried, as cases of COVID-19 seem to be raising in Central and South America, contrary to relative calmer situation observed in North America, Europe and parts of Asia. For the record, Panama is no exception in Latin America. We seem to be entering the 3rd wave of the pandemic, with new restrictions being announced on nearly daily basis (we have got the curfew reintroduced at 22:00 again). Stressful!

Despite complicated health situation, travelling seems to be a bit easier compared to last year though. I am guessing that the authorities and airlines have learnt to operate within the new reality and challenges… Although, there are tones of papers to fill out, and many restrictions to adhere to in most of the countries, I am actually able to plan for professional missions. Clearly being fully vaccinated helps too (here thanks go to Panamanian Ministry of Health)! As I write this, for example, I am planning my professional trip to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to be able to monitor the humanitarian intervention following the recent explosion of the volcano, which ECHO is co-financing. If all goes according to plans, I should be travelling during the final days of June and continue during parts of July.

Those of you, who know me, may suspect that I am extremely excited for the prospect of this mission. Working in the field, meeting affected communities, working with frontline responders is a bit like oxygen to my lungs… I can't operate neither professionally (nor personally, as a matter of fact), without being 'on the ground'.

So despite gloomy, grey and rainy days, I am really excited at the prospect of my next mission!

PS 1: I owe you an update on my 'Support of Vulnerable Migrants in Panama Project' that I am running, and that many of you have supported. The update will come soon!

PS 2: Also, I will soon give you updates on how Tahir is doing in Toronto!