A torrential storm has left the Libyan city of Derna submerged, with thousands displaced and the death toll mounting. The World Health Organization has confirmed that 3,958 bodies have been recovered and identified, with 9,000 more still missing. The UN, European, and Middle Eastern countries are providing humanitarian aid, including essential medicines, emergency surgical supplies, and body bags to facilitate dignified burials.
Libyan authorities have launched an investigation into the collapse of two dams that caused the devastating flood. The dams, built in the 1970s, were under pressure from torrential rains triggered by a hurricane-strength storm. The investigation will also look into the allocation of maintenance funds and the responsible authorities.
The humanitarian crisis is growing, with aid organizations warning of the risk of disease spreading and the difficulty of delivering aid to those in need. Islamic Relief has warned of a “second humanitarian crisis” due to the lack of food, shelter, and medicine. Doctors Without Borders has deployed teams to eastern Libya to assess water and sanitation, citing concerns about water-related disease.
Libyan authorities have largely sealed off Derna to civilians, amid concerns about contamination and disease. The city smells like death, with thousands left homeless and struggling to cope with the trauma of losing loved ones. The Red Cross and the World Health Organization have urged against burying bodies in mass graves, citing the long-lasting mental distress and social problems that can result.
International Aid Arrives in Flood-Hit LibyaThe international community is mobilizing to provide aid, with the UN launching an appeal for $71 million to assist hundreds of thousands in need. The organization’s aid coordinator, Martin Griffiths, has warned of the need for coordination between Libya’s rival administrations to respond to the disaster. The International Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are also providing aid and support.
The destruction is widespread, with the city of Derna resembling a war zone. The International Organization for Migration has reported that over 38,640 people have been left homeless, with 30,000 of them in Derna alone. While many fear the death toll will be much higher than the current figures, there is still hope of finding survivors. The international community is coming together to provide aid and support to those affected by this devastating disaster.