2023-09-19 22:05:23
Burning of biological remains in the open field in Derna as a preventive measure against contagious diseases. Image: KARIM SAHIB/AFPTras
After the deadly flood in Libya, survivors face landmines, contaminated water and the danger of other dams collapsing in the country.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) issued a warning on September 16 indicating that two other dams in eastern Libya could be at risk of imminent failure due to rising water levels. .
This comes just a week after Storm Daniel caused the Abu Mansour and Derna dams to collapse, unleashing deadly torrents of water on the city of Derna. OCHA noted that there are “conflicting reports” on the status of the Jaza dam, located between Derna and Benghazi, and the Qattara dam, located near Benghazi.
Over the past five days, Libyan and international media have reported rising water levels and possible structural damage to these two dams, raising fears of another tragedy similar to the deadly Derna flood.
However, some reports suggest that authorities have taken proactive measures to mitigate the risk, such as installing pumps at the Jaza Dam to relieve pressure on its structure and ordering the evacuation of nearby towns and cities.
Crisis Group analyst Claudia Gazzini personally visited the Wadi Qattara Dam to assess the situation. She shared her findings via social media platform tranquillity
Common pits
The UN reported that more than 1,000 people have been buried in mass graves. Although some humanitarian organizations are concerned that mass burials increase the risk of water contamination and the spread of infectious diseases, Melanie Klinkner, professor of international law at Bournemouth University, believes this occurs mainly when deaths are attributed to diseases. contagious.
«Dead bodies only pose risks if the deaths are the result of highly infectious diseases. Of course, it is possible that diseases are transmitted by the surviving population due to inadequate sanitation,” he told DW.
From a human rights point of view, it is imperative to ensure dignified treatment for future identification, said Klinkner, who stressed the importance of applying the guidelines and standards of the World Health Organization and Interpol to ensure that bodies are treated with respect and can be identified later.
These guidelines involve measures such as assigning a unique code to each body, taking photographs without delay, recording pertinent data on each individual and safely placing each body in a special, properly marked bag, Klinkner explained.
Landmines and contaminated water
Libya is riddled with landmines and other explosives. Although some unexploded ordnance dates back to World War II, many more have been planted by militias, government forces and the Russian mercantile group Wagner Group since 2011, when civil war broke out in the oil country.
Libya has one of the highest numbers of landmine victims in the world. Nearly 3,500 Libyans have died from landmine explosions between 2011 and 2021, according to a UN report. With thousands of displaced people and humanitarian workers on the move, the risk of exposure to mines increases, according to OCHA.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said its team is assessing the risk posed by unexploded ordnance and abandoned ammunition depots in Derna. The survivors – around 30,000 are displaced in Derna alone – need clean water, as the flood has damaged and contaminated the drinking water supply network. Libyan health authorities have reported more than 150 cases of diarrhea, with at least 55 children poisoned by contaminated water in Derna.
(job/cp)
#risks #survivors #Libyan #floods