On Sunday, in a timely response to the dire situation in Libya, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced plans to send 28 tons of relief assistance directly to the hard-hit city of Derna.
The organization highlighted that the aid is intended to alleviate the humanitarian crisis unfolding in eastern Libya, following the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Daniel. The shipment aims to support up to 50,000 individuals adversely affected by the torrential floods, post-storm.
Furthermore, UNICEF anticipates that the total aid dispatched this week will escalate to an impressive 67 tons.
The devastating floods have claimed thousands of lives, and caused widespread destruction across several eastern Libyan cities, with Derna, Shahat, and Al-Bayda being the most severely impacted.
In a report from the Government of National Unity (GNU), it was disclosed that 891 buildings in Derna have completely collapsed due to the floods. Hundreds of homes have sustained significant damages.
UNICEF’s substantial aid contribution underlines the international community’s commitment to aiding Libya, as it grapples with the aftermath of this natural disaster.
Last week, regions in eastern Libya experienced intense floods, leading to numerous deaths and disappearances. Homes were submerged, and significant infrastructure damage was observed due to the Mediterranean storm, Daniel.
In the wake of the catastrophic storm and subsequent flooding, Libya is in dire need of urgent medical supplies, especially in some of its worst-hit regions like the city of Derna, according to Dr. Rick Brennan from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Brennan, who oversees the Emergency Programs at the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, highlighted that many of Libya’s medical facilities were already underperforming, even before the storm’s onset. A substantial portion of these facilities had been grappling with issues like poor equipment, and staff shortages.
Brennan pointed out challenges in delivering aid to the regions most in need, stating, “The majority of the initial response to any significant crisis like this typically comes from the local community. However, we—the international community—need to rally behind them, providing extensive support commensurate with these immense needs.”