The devastating floods that hit the town of Derna in Libya following the passage of Storm Daniel in September 2023 caused enormous damage and caused the loss of thousands of lives. However, it is important to emphasize that most of these deaths could have been avoided if the region’s warning and emergency systems had functioned properly.
According to the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Petteri Taalas, the dire state of meteorological services in Libya has blinded residents to the imminent threat of flooding. Before the civil war that devastated the country, Libya had a modern weather service, but it was largely destroyed over years of conflict.
The weather observation network is now almost unusable, which has prevented the issuance of warnings and preventive evacuations. If the different political actors in Libya had been able to coordinate their actions, it would have been possible to save many human lives.
Unfortunately, it is now too late to change the past, but it is essential to learn lessons from this tragedy and take steps to improve disaster warning and prevention systems in Libya. This will require investments in rebuilding meteorological infrastructure and training competent personnel. In addition, closer coordination between different political authorities will be necessary to ensure an effective response in the event of an emergency situation.
Pending international aid, foreign relief teams are already on site to provide support. Organizations such as Doctors Without Borders have sent medical teams to assess needs and provide medical assistance to victims. Countries including Egypt, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Qatar have also sent rescue workers and emergency supplies.
In conclusion, the tragic floods that hit Derna in Libya could have been avoided if disaster warning and prevention systems had worked properly. Now is the time to learn from this experience and take steps to strengthen these systems to protect the lives of people in the region. The international community must also continue to provide support to Libya to facilitate reconstruction and prevent similar tragedies in the future.