Rising Death Toll: Devastating Flooding Claims 11,300 Lives in Libya’s Coastal City of Derna

Devastating Floods in Derna, Libya Expose Vulnerabilities and Reflect the Consequences of Long-standing Conflict

Tragedy Strikes Derna

The coastal city of Derna in Libya has been faced with a catastrophic flood that has claimed the lives of 11,300 people, according to the Libyan Red Crescent. The search efforts for the missing continue, with an additional 10,100 people reportedly unaccounted for. This death toll is more than double the previous estimate of 5,500 provided by health authorities, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

Marie el-Drese, the secretary-general of the Libyan Red Crescent, expressed the extent of the devastation, stating that entire families were swept away by the floodwaters and that the storm also killed approximately 170 people in other parts of the country. The flooding was the result of the breaching of two dams, which occurred during heavy rains brought by an unusually strong Mediterranean storm named Daniel.

Vulnerabilities Exposed

The calamity in Derna not only reveals the intensity of the storm but also underscores Libya‘s vulnerability. The country, which is rich in oil reserves, has been plagued by conflict and political division since the 2011 uprising that led to the overthrow of Colonel Moammar Gadhafi’s regime.

As a consequence of this ongoing unrest, infrastructure maintenance has been widely neglected. The two dams that collapsed outside of Derna were constructed in the 1970s and had not received proper maintenance despite the allocation of significant financial resources for that purpose in recent years. A report by a state-run audit agency in 2021 exposed the mishandling of these funds as it pointed out the failure to adequately maintain the dams.

Recognizing the severity of the situation, Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah acknowledged the maintenance issues during a Cabinet meeting and called for an urgent investigation into the dams’ collapse.

Unity Amidst Tragedy

The disaster in Derna has led to a rare moment of unity within the country, as numerous government agencies have mobilized to provide assistance to the affected areas. The relief efforts are being led by the eastern-based government located in Tobruk. In a show of solidarity, the Tripoli-based western government has allocated significant funds for reconstruction in Derna and other eastern towns.

Furthermore, an armed group in Tripoli has sent a convoy with humanitarian aid to the impacted region.

Efforts to Mitigate the Impact

Derna has commenced the somber task of burying the deceased, with over 3,000 bodies already laid to rest in mass graves. Another 2,000 bodies are still being processed. The search and rescue teams are working diligently to search for survivors and recover bodies from the wreckage. However, the task is challenging due to the high levels of mud and debris in the city center, including overturned cars and large chunks of concrete.

Complicating matters further, the floods have made it difficult to bring in heavy equipment, as many roads leading to the area have been washed out or blocked. In response, the eastern-based House of Representatives has approved an emergency budget of 10 billion Libyan dinars (approximately $2 billion) to address the flooding and support those affected.

Assessing the Toll

The situation in Derna is nothing short of a humanitarian catastrophe. The Libyan Red Crescent reports a death toll of 11,300 people, but local officials suggest that the actual number may be significantly higher, possibly reaching 20,000 when considering the number of neighborhoods that were entirely washed away by the floodwaters. In addition to Derna, other parts of eastern Libya, including Bayda, Susa, Um Razaz, and Marj, have reported the deaths of approximately 170 individuals.

The flooding has displaced around 30,000 individuals in Derna alone, with several thousand more forced to evacuate their homes in other eastern towns. Access roads have been damaged or destroyed, making it challenging for international rescue teams and humanitarian aid to reach the affected areas.

Recognizing the urgent needs of the affected population, the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has issued an emergency appeal for $71.4 million to provide essential assistance to the 250,000 Libyans most affected by the flooding. OCHA estimates that approximately 884,000 people in five provinces reside in areas directly affected by the rain and flooding.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has stepped forward to provide support, distributing medical supplies, food, and other necessities to hard-hit communities. Aid from various nations, including Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, and Italy, has also begun to arrive.

In response, President Joe Biden has pledged financial aid and support to relief organizations, and the United States plans to coordinate with Libyan authorities and the United Nations to provide additional assistance.

Conclusion: Reflection on Fragility and the Path Forward

The disastrous flood in Derna, Libya, serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of societies facing prolonged conflict and neglect. The ramifications of ongoing political divisions and a lack of infrastructure maintenance have contributed to this tragedy, resulting in the loss of thousands of innocent lives.

It is imperative that international support and aid continue to flow into Libya to assist in the recovery efforts and provide essential relief to those affected. Equally important is the need for the Libyan government to prioritize infrastructure development and maintenance to mitigate future disasters.

Such a catastrophe should serve as a wake-up call to the international community, emphasizing the urgent need for conflict resolution and stability in Libya. Only through a comprehensive and inclusive peace process can the country build the necessary foundations to prevent such tragedies and reach its full potential.

As the people of Derna mourn their loved ones and work towards rebuilding their lives, it is our hope that the international community will rally around them, providing the necessary support and resources to ensure a brighter future for Libya‘s affected communities.