Establishment of the Inter-Institutional Commission for Monitoring the Effects of El Niño in Panama.

Resolution of Panama’s Cabinet Council establishing a High-Level Inter-Institutional Commission to coordinate, prevent and address the potential adverse effects of El Niño. The Commission brings together institutions responsible for government affairs, agricultural development, health, economy and finance, environment, drinking water, public utilities, meteorology, civil protection and management of the Panama Canal. Its functions include monitoring climate variables, alerts, lakes, reservoirs and river basins; preparing contingency plans for droughts, forest fires and water scarcity; adapting planting cycles to climate forecasts; prioritizing drought-tolerant crops; training agricultural producers; and promoting the efficient use of water and electricity.