The terrible floods which hit eastern Libya following the passage of storm Daniel caused the death of at least 3,000 people, according to the authorities. The damage is considerable, with entire districts of the city of Derna completely devastated. Residents were swept away by water after two aging dams collapsed.
The situation is critical and humanitarian needs far exceed the capacities of the Libyan government. The two parallel governments have launched appeals for international aid to deal with this catastrophe. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has already indicated that the Libyan Red Crescent and the government do not have the resources to meet the immense needs of the affected population.
In the town of Derna, emergency services are being organized as best they can. Volunteers are trying to collect the bodies washed up by the sea to identify them, but the task is immense. Some bodies still litter the sidewalks, due to lack of means to bury them with dignity. Al Wahda Hospital, the city’s main hospital, is overwhelmed and can no longer accommodate the remains.
The deaths are counted in entire families. Among them, popular artists, locally renowned footballers, as well as families of dignitaries and fighters who participated in the fight against Islamist extremists. The videos filmed by the victims before their deaths bear witness to the horror of the situation.
The question of responsibilities begins to be raised. Local authorities are accused of negligence and corruption. Funds intended for infrastructure rehabilitation, including dams, have reportedly been diverted, leaving the city vulnerable to bad weather. Voices are being raised to demand an investigation and demand accountability.
Despite these difficulties, help is being organized. Ambulances from Tripoli were sent to Benghazi, while a humanitarian aid plane landed at Al Abraq airport. NOC, the national oil company, is also participating in the effort by mobilizing its resources.
This tragedy highlights Libya’s vulnerability to natural disasters, but also the importance of international solidarity to help affected populations. Let’s hope that help flows quickly and that steps are taken to prevent such a disaster from happening again in the future.