Storm Daniel, which devastated the town of Derna in Libya a week ago, continues to shock the world. Official figures show at least 11,300 dead and more than 10,000 people missing, but these figures are strongly disputed. Indeed, the Libyan Red Crescent has denied these figures, claiming that they do not correspond to reality. This confusion added to the distress of the families of the missing.
Faced with this catastrophe, international mobilization remains strong. Rescue and assistance teams from international organizations and several countries are flocking to the region to help the affected populations. France has notably deployed a field hospital to provide support. Unfortunately, this solidarity was undermined by a road accident which claimed the lives of four members of a Greek rescue team.
The humanitarian situation in Derna is described as grim, with a shortage of drinking water and many children poisoned after drinking polluted water. Searches and rescue operations are made difficult by the mud which covers part of the city. Rescuers must therefore clear the rubble by hand to find the bodies of the victims.
The landscape of desolation that reigns in Derna is indescribable. Testimonies from residents report numerous victims buried under mud or carried away by the waves towards the Mediterranean. Rescue teams have discovered hundreds of bodies in a bay, while a Libyan rescue team claims to have seen around 600 bodies at sea. The search continues day after day, but the task is immense.
Beyond the human impact, Storm Daniel also highlights the political chaos that has reigned in Libya since the fall of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. With two rival governments, the coordination of relief and search operations has become even more difficult. more complicated.
The tragedy that befell Derna due to Storm Daniel highlights the importance of international solidarity in such situations. It is essential that countries and organizations work together to provide effective assistance to affected populations and to prevent such disasters in the future. Repairing the damage caused by the storm will be a long process, but with everyone’s support and commitment, Derna can rebuild and find hope.