UN appeals for $71 Million in aid as deadly floods ravage Libya

Libya faced a catastrophic natural disaster as Hurricane-strength Storm Daniel unleashed deadly flash floods, claiming thousands of lives, with thousands more still unaccounted for since the disaster struck on September 10.

In response, the United Nations has launched an urgent appeal for over $71 million to provide critical assistance to the affected population.

The United Nations Humanitarian Agency (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) issued a flash appeal on Thursday, acknowledging that the death toll is expected to climb even further.

The flash floods, triggered by Storm Daniel, have inflicted immeasurable destruction, particularly in Derna, one of the worst-hit areas.

The aftermath of the disaster in Derna is nothing short of devastating, with estimates suggesting that up to 30 percent of the city may have been obliterated.

Furthermore, the widespread collapse of roads has exacerbated the situation, prompting local authorities to call for the establishment of a sea corridor to facilitate the delivery of relief aid and evacuations.

The coastal town of Sousse has not been spared, as it remains submerged under the floodwaters. The scale of the crisis led OCHA to declare the situation “catastrophic.”

OCHA emphasized the urgency of its appeal, stating that humanitarian partners require $71.4 million to address the immediate needs of 250,000 individuals, out of an estimated 884,000 people in dire need of assistance.

In a significant response, UN OCHA head Martin Griffiths announced the immediate allocation of $10 million from an emergency fund. He described the devastation, saying, “Entire neighborhoods have been wiped off the map. Whole families, taken by surprise, were swept away in the deluge of water.”

Griffiths emphasized the critical nature of delivering life-saving supplies, preventing a secondary health crisis, and restoring a semblance of normalcy to Libya in the wake of this unprecedented disaster.

Numerous nations, including the United States, European Union, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and others, have already dispatched or pledged aid.

Additionally, international search and rescue teams have been deployed to search for survivors and recover bodies in the aftermath of this tragic event.