Libya’s Prime Minister of the Parliament-designate government, Osama Hammad, has declared Wednesday, 11 September, a public holiday and a day of national mourning. This decision, announced on Monday, marks the first anniversary of the Storm Daniel disaster that struck Derna and other regions in eastern Libya last September.
Hammad’s decision, outlined in Decree No. 189 of 2024, grants a work holiday to employees of all ministries, public institutions, and government bodies.
The storm, which led to catastrophic flooding, devastated entire neighbourhoods in Derna, causing significant loss of life and property.
The decree excludes healthcare facilities and security services from the holiday, as their operations are considered essential. However, employees in these sectors will retain their right to compensation in accordance with the law.
Additionally, the decree calls for a national day of mourning, with flags at half-mast across all state institutions, both domestically and abroad, on the same day. This gesture is intended to honour the victims of the Daniel storm, which delivered record-breaking rainfall that resulted in widespread flooding and destruction.
The storm struck in September 2023, when torrential rains overwhelmed the city of Derna. The flooding that followed caused severe damage to infrastructure and displaced thousands of residents. The city and surrounding areas are still grappling with the aftermath of the disaster, with efforts ongoing to rebuild and restore normalcy.
This commemoration serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of Libyan cities to extreme weather events and underscores the need for improved disaster preparedness and response strategies. The government aims to use this day to reflect on the lessons learned from the disaster and to renew its commitment to better protecting its citizens in the future.
