People bring donated supplies to a collection point in Libya’s capital Tripoli, September 15, 2023. /CFP
People bring donated supplies to a collection point in Libya’s capital Tripoli, September 15, 2023. /CFP
Rescuers walk in front of buildings that collapsed during floods after the Mediterranean storm “Daniel” hit Libya’s eastern city of Derna, September 14, 2023. /CFP
Rescuers walk in front of buildings that collapsed during floods after the Mediterranean storm “Daniel” hit Libya’s eastern city of Derna, September 14, 2023. /CFP
Members of Tunisia’s National Office of Civil Protection emergency team assist in relief work in Libya’s eastern city of Derna, September 15, 2023. /AFP
Members of Tunisia’s National Office of Civil Protection emergency team assist in relief work in Libya’s eastern city of Derna, September 15, 2023. /AFP
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya said Saturday that the UN is actively collaborating with the local authorities and aid agencies to provide aid to those in need following a visit to Derna, the hardest-hit city by floods in eastern Libya.
“I left Derna today with a heavy heart after witnessing the devastation caused by the floods on lives and properties … This crisis is beyond Libya’s capacity to manage; it goes beyond politics and borders,” Abdoulaye Bathily said in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
He said the UN is conducting further assessments to enhance the coordination of the response efforts in Derna and other affected areas.
On September 10, Mediterranean storm Daniel made landfall in Libya, bringing heavy storms and flash floods along its path in the northeast of the war-torn country and causing extensive damage to residential areas and infrastructure.
Entire districts in Derna, with an estimated population of at least 120,000, were swept away or buried in mud after two dams south of the city broke, unleashing torrents of floodwater down a usually dry riverbed.
The United Nations last week launched an emergency Flash Appeal at the Libyan government’s request to coordinate humanitarian relief totaling $70 million.
Meanwhile, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator announced the immediate release of $10 million from the UN’s Central Emergency Relief Fund to support people affected.
On Saturday, the World Health Organization said it had flown in enough emergency aid to reach nearly 250,000 people affected by Daniel across eastern Libya, including essential medicine, surgery supplies and body bags for the deceased.
(With input from agencies)
