The Director-General of the Libyan Reconstruction and Development Fund, Belgassim Haftar, has discussed ways to enhance cooperation with US institutions and companies regarding ongoing rebuilding projects across the country.
Jeremy Bent, the Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Libya, expressed his country’s readiness to support the Development and Reconstruction Fund in achieving its goals for rebuilding and development in Libya, in line with the Fund’s established working approach and priorities.
The meeting was attended by Benghazi Municipal Council’s Chairman, Saqr Boujowairi, and the Head of the Reconstruction and Stability Committee, Hatem Al-Araibi. The talks focused on reconstruction initiatives in the war-damaged cities of Benghazi, Derna and southern Libya.
The high-level discussions centred on exploring avenues for enhanced cooperation between Libyan and US stakeholders involved in the country’s ongoing reconstruction efforts. This included identifying potential collaborations between the Libyan Fund and American institutions or companies.
The meeting provided an opportunity to align reconstruction priorities and coordinate implementation of vital projects to revive cities devastated by years of conflict.
On 10 September 2023, a devastating storm swept through several eastern regions of Libya, notably the cities of Derna, Benghazi, Al-Bayda, Al-Marj, and Sousse. This resulted in significant destruction and led to the loss of thousands of lives, injuries, and missing individuals.
In March, World Bank, the United Nations (UN), and the European Union (EU) released a report marking six months since Storm Daniel struck eastern Libya in September last year.
The report indicates that the disaster affected approximately 1.5 million people, equivalent to 22% of Libya’s population.
Estimates suggest that the recovery and reconstruction needs following the catastrophic floods caused by the storm amount to around $1.8 billion.
The housing sector suffered the most significant damage, with over 18,500 residential units destroyed or damaged, representing 7% of Libya’s total housing units.
