Shipments of international aid began to arrive in Libya on Saturday, offering a lifeline to thousands affected.
“This is a disaster of epic proportions,” said Ahmed Zouiten, the WHO’s representative in Libya. “We are saddened by the unspeakable loss of thousands of souls.”
In Al-Bayda, 100 kilometres west of Derna, locals worked to clear roads and homes of the mounds of mud left behind by the deluge.The floods were caused by hurricane-strength Storm Daniel, compounded by the poor infrastructure in Libya, which was plunged into turmoil after a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.
“With this type of event we can really worry about water-related disease,” said Manoelle Carton, MSF’s medical coordinator in Derna, who described efforts to coordinate aid as “chaotic”. “Everything was washed away… the waters have completely cut off the roads in these regions,” he said. “We don’t know the extent of the problem,” UN aid chief Martin Griffiths said Friday in Geneva, as he called for coordination between Libya’s two rival administrations — the UN-backed, internationally recognised government in Tripoli, and one based in the disaster-hit east.
The scale of the devastation has given way to shows of solidarity, as volunteers in Tripoli gathered aid for the flood victims in the east.“Everyone in Tripoli is mobilised, and they’re bringing us goods. Tomorrow, we hope that aid will be sent to Derna,” said Mohamed Omar Benour, one of the volunteers. “We hope everything goes well, and may God help everyone.”
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Libya: 'Anything Would Help' - Benghazi Doctor Calls for Aid After Libya Flood Catastrophe'Everyone is still in shock. We still haven't had time to process our emotions.'
Read more »
Aid groups sound alarm in Libya as hopes dwindle for survivorsSunday's flood submerged the port city of Derna, washing thousands of people and homes out to sea after two upstream dams burst under the pressure of torrential rains triggered by the hurricane-strength storm.
Read more »
Libya: Nearly 300,000 Children Affected in Libya After Storm Daniel Devastates Entire CommunitiesBeyond the immediate risks of death and injury, the severe floods in Libya put children at increased risk of waterborne diseases, displacement and loss of essential services
Read more »
Libya: Floods in Libya - Civil War Compounds DevastationClimate change is partly responsible for the floods that have devastated Libya, but the legacy of civil war, political chaos and corruption have exacerbated the impact. Observers say aid is desperately needed.
Read more »
UN aid chief says 'climate and capacity' to blame for Libya tragedyThe United Nations aid chief said on Friday that floods in Libya that have killed thousands of people in its worst natural disaster in modern history were due to the collision of 'climate and capacity'.
Read more »
Libya: UN Launches Flash Appeal to Aid 250,000 Libyans Hit By Devastating FloodsUN humanitarians are working flat out on the ground in Libya, providing desperately needed aid to thousands of survivors of the flood disaster that has left thousands dead and thousands more unaccounted for.
Read more »