Costa Rica emergency officials yesterday issued another red alert for the Caribbean province of Limón and Caribbean slope town of Sarapiquí, after a fresh bout of cold-front rains began punishing the region.

More than 1,500 people remain in shelters after their homes were flooded by constant downpours, according to the National Emergency Commission.

The weather came just days after hundreds of families began returning to their homes after entire towns had evacuated to escape flooding in the region, sparking an international call to help Costa Rica.

France became the latest nation to announce a relief package, pledging some 50,000 euros to the cause, the French Embassy in San Jos é said.

U.S. Southern Command deployed military helicopters to Costa Rica, and western Panama, also swamped in rain, bringing aid to communities cut off by damaged roads and bridges.

The emergency commission has also issued a yellow alert – the second highest weather warning – for Costa Rica's Northern Zone.