Over 36 000 people have been affected by heavy rains and severe floods in Panama and Costa Rica since late November, the International Red Cross said on Tuesday as it launched an appeal for aid funds.

"Many areas are facing blackouts and lack of water. More than 45 indigenous communities in remote coastal areas are surrounded by water and can only be reached by helicopter, which has proved challenging due to the non-stop rains," said the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The United Nations humanitarian affairs bureau said earlier on Tuesday that in Panama, ten people were killed and over 23 600 affected by the deluge.

About half or 11 670 of those hit in Panama are in temporary shelters, said Elisabeth Byrs, spokesperson of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Rains are expected to continue this week, and the victims are in need of "food, water and blankets," said Byrs.

"Many highways and bridges have been destroyed. 1165 houses were damaged and about 200 destroyed. A number of communities in Bocas del Toro cannot be reached. Transport and distribution of relief items remain a challenge," she added.

Panama's president has declared a state of emergency for the most affected provinces of Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui and Colon.

The gravity of the situation prompted the IFRC to seek $572 000 (€450 000) in aid for victims in both Panama and Costa Rica.

The aid group said that in Costa Rica rivers have overflown in parts of the country including the capital San Jose.

Floods have also cut off access to over 100 communities and destroyed banana and plantain crops.

"The floods risk exacerbating diseases such as diarrhoea and the common cold, which could pose a risk especially to indigenous communities in the provinces of Limon and Cartago," it added.

An emergency operation carried out in both countries by the Red Cross will provide communities with first aid, food and other relief items such as safe water tablets.

AFP