UN Says Most Deaths in Libya Flash Floods Could Have Been Avoided
The United Nations has declared that the majority of deaths in the flash floods that recently devastated Libya could have been avoided. Relief workers are struggling to provide crucial aid to the affected areas due to political divisions and debris from the disaster. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported on Thursday that at least 5,000 people have died in the country, revising an earlier estimate of 8,000. Thousands more are feared missing after entire buildings were wiped out by a seven-meter wave in the northern coastal city of Derna.
The unprecedented rainfall caused two dams in the northeast to rupture, resulting in a deluge of water hitting Derna. The UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) secretary-general, Petteri Taalas, stated that if there had been a functioning meteorological service, warnings could have been issued and evacuations carried out to avoid the majority of casualties. However, due to the difficult security situation in Libya, progress in improving these mechanisms has been challenging.
Libya has been experiencing political turmoil since the outbreak of civil war in 2014 and currently has two rival governments. Each government has reported conflicting numbers for the victims of the floods, making it difficult to independently verify the death toll. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned that it will take “many months, maybe years” for residents in Derna to recover from the devastating floods.
The ICRC had a team in Derna providing support when the city was overwhelmed by floodwaters. They will be distributing 6,000 body bags to forensic teams in the eastern city of Benghazi to ensure dignified treatment of the dead. However, access to the affected areas remains a major challenge due to the destruction of roads. The ICRC emphasized that the flood-hit areas require urgent assistance.
Eyewitnesses have described the situation in Derna as a catastrophe, with entire families reportedly killed and the city center completely destroyed. Medical volunteers are overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster, and bodies are piling up near defunct health facilities. Aid slowly began to arrive on Thursday, but there are concerns about the spread of waterborne diseases. The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that over 30,000 people have been displaced in Derna.
Although international leaders have pledged donations, there are uncertainties about how aid will reach areas controlled by rival factions. At least $71.4 million is needed to support relief efforts in Libya. The marine port into Derna has become accessible for ships carrying humanitarian aid, and a committee has been established to improve operations at the port and expedite aid delivery.