Title: Devastating Floods in Derna: Questions Arise Over Evacuation Orders and Aid Efforts
Date: [Current Date]
In the aftermath of the devastating floods that struck Derna in eastern Libya last weekend, questions are being raised about the evacuation orders and the slow response of international aid agencies.
Othman Abdul Jalil, a spokesperson for the Benghazi-based government, has denied allegations that many of those killed were instructed to stay in their homes. He clarified that soldiers had warned people in the city to flee, although some individuals may have perceived the threat as exaggerated.
Meanwhile, BBC teams on the ground have reported that major international aid agencies are yet to arrive in Derna. Despite witnessing a hive of activity in the city center with rescuers, ambulance crews, and forensic teams working tirelessly, the absence of significant aid is concerning. Tomasso Della Longa from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) described coordinating aid operations in Libya as a “nightmare.”
Complicating matters further, the floods have destroyed vital infrastructure such as roads and telecommunications systems, making rescue efforts and coordination of assistance challenging.
With conflicting reports regarding the death toll, estimates range from 6,000 to 11,000. However, Derna’s mayor has warned that the total number of casualties could reach 20,000, as many are still missing. Shockingly, the BBC has learned that some victims’ bodies have washed ashore more than 100km (60 miles) away from Derna after being swept out to sea.
According to Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the United Nations’ humanitarian office, survivors and deceased individuals are still trapped under the rubble, making it difficult to determine the actual number of casualties. Laerke emphasized the urgent need to prevent a health crisis and provide essential provisions such as shelter, clean water, and food. To date, over 1,000 people have been buried in mass graves, as reported by the UN.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested that disaster workers refrain from hasty burials in mass graves, as they can cause long-lasting mental distress for grieving family members.
Survivors have recounted terrifying escapes and witnessing people being swept away before their eyes as two dams burst in the wake of Storm Daniel on Sunday. The fragmented political situation in Libya, with rival governments in Tripoli and Benghazi, has further complicated the cleanup process. There have been widespread suggestions that the collapsed dams were not adequately maintained.
Amidst the tragedy, questions have emerged regarding the evacuation orders. Derna’s Mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi claims to have personally ordered the evacuation of the city three or four days before the disaster. However, the BBC has not been able to independently verify this statement. Survivors have informed the BBC that as the weather worsened, police and military personnel urged them to leave their homes for higher ground. Unfortunately, many did not take the threat seriously.
Allegations have surfaced that officials appeared on Libyan television on the night of the floods and instructed people to stay in their homes due to the bad weather. However, Othman Abdul Jalil, the aforementioned spokesperson, denies these claims.
While it is premature to definitively attribute the severity of this storm to rising global temperatures, climate change is believed to be contributing to the intensification of the world’s strongest storms. Professor Liz Stephens, an expert in climate risks and resilience at the University of Reading in the UK, asserts that climate change is amplifying the rainfall associated with such storms.
This disaster serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by climate change, as highlighted by Martin Griffiths, a top UN official. The situation in Derna remains critical, as urgent efforts are needed to address the immediate needs of survivors, prevent further health crises, and provide support to grieving families in their time of distress.