V. The relocation of the Gardi Sugdub community: local, regional and national perspectives

April 14 on the island of Gardi Sugdub and was attended by approximately 30 people, including several members of the Neighborhood Committee (Comite de la Barriada) and some of the island’s traditional authorities. The second workshop, co-organized with the Panamanian Ministry of Environment and Centro de Incidencia Ambiental (CIAM), took place in Panama City on April 16 and was attended by approximately 40 officials, most members of the National Committee on Climate Change (see Annex).

• As part of its ongoing advocacy campaign, DS met with a wide range of Panamanian government officials, as well as a congressman 4, and contacted experts at the Inter-

American Development Bank (IADB) following the recent mission to Gardi Sugdub in

April 2015.

• One of the main concerns set out in DS’ first report was in relation to the potential health consequences of relocation of the Gardi Sugdub community, given the possibility of mosquito borne diseases in the area. As a result, in September 2014 DS met with a member of the Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies 5 regarding the possibility of conducting a health impact assessment of the relocation site. During our recent trip to

Panama in April 2015, we met again with researchers from the Gorgas Institute, and this time we were accompanied by a member of the Guna community 6 .

• Following extensive discussions with various actors within the Guna community, it was felt that DS expertise would be of significant assistance in the development of a Planned

Relocation Plan, in consultation with the community and relevant government agencies.

As a result, DS is currently exploring funding sources to assist the Gardi Sugdub community with a Planned Relocation Plan before a physical relocation takes place.

The island community of Gardi Sugdub has continued actively working on their relocation process to the main land. This process started in 2010 when the community made the decision to relocate, and made internal arrangements to allocate 17 hectares of land for this purpose and

4 DS met in Panama with Guna Congressman Aiban Velarde. Congressman Velarde mentioned that he has used Displacement Solutions’ report on Gunayala in his work at the Panamanian congress. He was also very receptive to DS’ ideas about the need that Panama has relocation policies and laws that deal with this problem. Panama City, April 20, 2015. 5 The Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies is a public health research entity with legal and administrative autonomy. 6 Meeting with doctors Lorenzo Cáceres and José Calzada at the Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies. Panama City, April 20, 2015. Doctors Cáceres and Calzada have expressed interest in getting involved, and suggested starting with an entomological study at the relocation site as soon as possible. Apparently the Gorgas Institute could do that study with their own resources, while they prepare a more ambitious study that will require a lengthy process to obtain external funding.