Images of Storm Daniel in Libya shocked the entire world. While the country has faced numerous challenges since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, this natural disaster adds a new obstacle to reconstruction and stability efforts.
The Al Jabal Al Akhdar region, located in the east of the country, was particularly affected by flooding caused by heavy rains. The dams which collapsed caused significant material but especially human damage. Residents of Darna, a coastal town of 100,000, were hardest hit. Entire neighborhoods were swept away by the waters towards the sea, leaving behind thousands of people missing and more than 2,000 dead.
The situation in Darna is described as apocalyptic by the deputy prime minister of the eastern Libyan government. Infrastructure is destroyed, communications cut and the city is plunged into chaos. Images shared on social networks show the scale of the disaster: the cornice along the sea was completely washed away, while homes and buildings were destroyed by floods and landslides.
Faced with this tragedy, the Libyan Red Crescent launched an appeal for international aid. Members of this organization as well as the Libyan national army who rescued the inhabitants are themselves missing. The Libyan Presidential Council, which exercises power in Tripoli, has declared a state of disaster and is calling for urgent international intervention.
This storm Daniel in Libya highlights the country’s fragilities and reminds us of the importance of international solidarity in emergency situations. It is essential that governments, humanitarian organizations and the international community mobilize to help the victims of this disaster and support Libya’s reconstruction process.