Flooding in Costa Rica has prompted officials in the Central American nation to declare a state of emergency, El Heraldo newspaper reported Wednesday. President Abel Pacheco signed a state of emergency decree allocating funds for relief and rescue efforts. In neighboring Panama thousands have had to flee their homes to escape rising waters. Some 7,500 people in Costa Rica have reportedly been displaced by the flooding caused by several days of heavy rains. Rescuers have had difficultly reaching some indigenous people in remote parts of the country. Costa Rica, which has no standing army, has to rely largely on volunteers to help rescue and house flood victims. In Panama La Prensa newspaper reported that some 5,000 people were forced from their homes due to rising floodwaters. © Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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