The German Ambassador to Libya, Michael Ohnmacht has expressed Berlin’s readiness to implement reconstruction projects in the flood-affected areas, in eastern Libya, especially Derna.
He emphasised Germany’s preparedness to support the affected regions by executing reconstruction projects, and enhancing the capabilities of local teams in dealing with natural disasters while minimizing the negative impact on society.
He added that he had “an important meeting with the Head of the Emergency and Rapid Response Team, Badr Al-Din Al-Toumi, who is also the Minister of Local Governance.”
Ohnmacht previously stated that Germany had dispatched an aircraft laden with vital humanitarian aid to Libya.
He noted that the cargo plane, which took off from Germany, was “filled with critical supplies to assist the beleaguered regions of eastern Libya.”
“It’s more than just a relief mission; it’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to humanitarian assistance,” Ohnmacht commented.
The German diplomat emphasized the role of global cooperation, stating, “In these challenging times, it’s pivotal for nations to come together, reducing hardships and bolstering those who are most vulnerable.”
Storm Daniel, which recently hit eastern Libya, has so far claimed the lives of more than 3,250 individuals, with numerous others still missing. This torrential onslaught severely affected vital cities and regions, notably Derna, Benghazi, Al-Bayda, Al-Marj, and Soussa.
On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres called a flood that killed thousands in Derna, Libya a “symbol of the world’s ills.”
“Even as we speak now, bodies are washing ashore from the same Mediterranean sea where billionaires sunbathe on their super yachts,” Guterres said in the opening of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“Derna is a sad snapshot of the state of our world – the flood of inequity, of injustice, of inability to confront the challenges in our midst.”
Guterres noted that those who lost their lives in Derna as a result of “massive, unprecedented floods were victims of conflict, indifference, and the failure of leaders to find a path to peace.”