In response to the devastating floods that have ravaged southwestern Libya, the Parliament-designated government, headed by Osama Hammad, rapidly launched a series of emergency measures aimed at mitigating the disaster’s impact and providing immediate relief to affected areas.
The municipality of Tahlah, which bore the brunt of the floods, saw over 80% of its infrastructure destroyed, displacing countless families and leaving a trail of devastation.
Deputy Prime Minister Salem Al-Zadama, heading the Emergency and Rapid Response Committee, spearheaded the government’s response.
In a press conference, he outlined the swift actions taken, including the deployment of the Libyan National Army (LNA) under Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s command. The LNA played a crucial role in the relief efforts, organizing airlifts to deliver essential supplies to the hardest-hit regions, ensuring that aid reached those in need quickly and efficiently.
The floods, which tragically claimed one life, caused extensive material damage, particularly in Tahlah and the neighboring municipality of Barkat. The government has since formed specialized committees to assess the full extent of the damage and to identify the families most affected by the disaster. These committees are tasked with overseeing the distribution of financial compensation and coordinating the reconstruction of damaged homes and infrastructure.
Looking beyond the immediate crisis, the Libyan government is also considering long-term preventive measures to safeguard against future disasters. One of the key proposals involves constructing dams in strategic valleys that channel floodwaters into vulnerable areas. These dams would help protect residential communities from similar catastrophic events in the future.
Al-Zadama also emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the affected populations, assuring that the recovery and rebuilding efforts will be prioritized. He also acknowledged the solidarity and support from various national entities, which have been instrumental in the ongoing relief operations.
The recent floods in southwestern Libya underscore the critical need for enhanced disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure. While the government’s swift response and the military’s decisive actions have helped to mitigate the immediate impact, the focus now shifts to ensuring that Libya is better equipped to handle such natural disasters in the future.
