The European Union has announced the dispatching of a humanitarian expert to evaluate the needs of residents of the Libyan city of Derna. This is along with environmental specialists, who are working on the ground in collaboration with a UN team, to assess and coordinate disaster response. The enhanced humanitarian funding has reached a total of €5.7 million euros since Hurricane Daniel on 10 September.
The assistance, provided by 10 EU states, encompasses medical teams, shelter materials, heavy machinery, debris removal trucks, search and rescue helicopters, technical experts, and other vital support forms.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the floods have resulted in the deaths of over 4,000 individuals, while approximately 8,500 remain missing. Additionally, between 30,000 and 35,000 have been displaced, and are sheltering in camps.
A French field hospital in eastern Libya is hosting a medical team consisting of 53 individuals, providing urgent assistance to the injured. Upon activation, the hospital has been accommodating up to 100 patients daily, offering immediate healthcare.
To supplement the aid, the EU released the first emergency allocations of €500,000 euros on 14 September, to fund humanitarian assistance, aiming to address the most urgent needs.
Amidst debates over aid recipients, the EU has clarified that funding is being “channeled through the European Union’s humanitarian partners active in the country, enabling them to bolster assistance, with a focus on shelter, health, food, water, sanitation, hygiene, and protection.” It affirmed its readiness to provide further aid if necessary. Responding to an international assistance request, the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism was activated on 12 September to offer support to Libya.