Libya Grapples with Devastating Floods
Conflict and Turmoil
Libya has been ravaged by political turmoil since civil war erupted in 2014, leaving the country with two rival governments. The eastern parliament-backed government reported at least 5,300 people dead, while the internationally recognized government in Tripoli reported more than 6,000 people have died. CNN is unable to independently verify the number of deaths or those missing.
Scale of Damage
The head of the ICRC’s Libya delegation said it will take "many months, maybe years," for residents in Derna to recover from the scale of damage, after a seven-meter wave thrashed the northern coastal city this week. The ICRC had a team in Derna to support families with micro-economic activities when the floodwaters overwhelmed the city, and it will distribute 6,000 body bags to forensic teams in the eastern city of Benghazi to ensure dignified treatment of the dead.
Access Challenges
Access to the flood-hit areas remains a "major challenge" because roads were destroyed, the ICRC said. Medical volunteers said they were overwhelmed by the scale of human disaster in Derna, as aid slowly began to arrive on Thursday amid fears of waterborne diseases.
Displacement and Humanitarian Response
More than 30,000 people have been displaced in Derna, the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, bodies piled up near defunct health facilities, despite the need to treat survivors of the disaster. Khaled Hamid, the general manager at a Libyan NGO, said aid donations were inadequate for the number of people needing treatment.
Marine Port Reopens
On Thursday, the marine port into Derna became accessible for ships with a minimum draft level of 6.5 meters to deliver humanitarian aid to the badly damaged area, the Libyan Ports and Maritime Transport Authority said.
Sources
Sources: CNN, BBC, International Red Cross, news agencies.
Conclusion
The devastating floods in Libya have left a trail of destruction and chaos, with two rival governments reporting conflicting numbers of dead and displaced. The humanitarian response is underway, but access challenges and inadequate aid donations are hindering efforts to provide relief to those affected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many people are reported dead in the floods?
A: The eastern parliament-backed government reported at least 5,300 people dead, while the internationally recognized government in Tripoli reported more than 6,000 people have died.
Q: How many people have been displaced in Derna?
A: More than 30,000 people have been displaced in Derna, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Q: What is the scale of damage in Derna?
A: The head of the ICRC’s Libya delegation said it will take "many months, maybe years," for residents in Derna to recover from the scale of damage, after a seven-meter wave thrashed the northern coastal city this week.