Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 19th Sept. UN teams on Monday said that they are working tirelessly to deliver vital assistance to communities devastated by the unprecedented floods in eastern Libya.
UNHCR said that agency staff led missions into Derna, Shahat, Soussa and al Bayda, delivered emergency medical supplies, food, water purification kits and shelter material.
Rana Ksaifi, lead a UN refugee agency team to the city said that the situation is “horrific” in Derna.
Derna was hit hard by the floods after two dams on the city’s outskirts collapsed, sending a torrent of water through the streets that swept entire buildings out to sea.
She said “I cannot explain what I saw on the way coming to Derna: roads split in half, massive rocks moved from the mountains to coastal areas, and destroyed homes.”
According to the Libyan Red Crescent, over 11,000 people are reported dead with 10,100 missing.
Over 30,000 people have been displaced out of a population of around 150,000 before
WHO teams with local officials and partner organizations are preventing diseases from taking a hold and causing a second devastating crisis.
Ahmed Zouiten, WHO Representative in Libya said “This is a disaster of epic proportions.”
The agency dispatched 29 metric tonnes of medical supplies, brought from its contingency store in the United Arab Emirates, to hospitals and primary health centres to help restore some functionality.
Mr. Zouiten said “We are saddened by the unspeakable loss of thousands of souls. Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones, and with all of the affected communities. We are committed to providing the necessary support to restore health.”
UN agencies have launched a $71.4 million emergency humanitarian appeal, in addition to $10 million released from the Central Emergency Response Fund to provide lifesaving assistance and protection.
Flash Appeal targets assistance for 250,000 most vulnerable among some 884,000 people in need for an initial period between September-December.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs critical needs identified so far include emergency healthcare, water and sanitation, food, and heavy equipment to clear tonnes of debris.
OCHA added that assessments are ongoing.
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