The United Nations has expressed that a significant portion of the fatalities resulting from the devastating flash floods in Libya could have been prevented. This humanitarian crisis is further complicated by political divisions and the debris left in the disaster's wake, hindering the delivery of crucial aid.
As of Thursday, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) revised their earlier estimate, stating that at least 5,000 people have lost their lives, down from the initial figure of 8,000. There are concerns about the fate of thousands more who are still missing, particularly in the northern coastal city of Derna, where entire buildings were obliterated by a seven-meter wave, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The unprecedented rainfall that struck various Libyan cities last week was exacerbated by the rupture of two dams in the country's northeast. Derna bore the brunt of the devastation. Petteri Taalas, the Secretary-General of the UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO), emphasized that with a properly functioning meteorological service, timely warnings could have been issued, leading to evacuations and the prevention of most human casualties. Although it may not have completely averted economic losses, having appropriate services in place could have minimized them.
Unfortunately, efforts to improve these mechanisms have been hindered by the challenging security situation in Libya. The country has been embroiled in political turmoil since the outbreak of civil war in 2014, resulting in two rival governments—one in Benghazi and the other internationally recognized in Tripoli. These conflicting authorities have reported differing casualty figures, making independent verification difficult for organizations like CNN.
The head of the ICRC's Libya delegation, Yann Fridez, stated that recovery in Derna will likely take many months or even years due to the extensive damage caused by the seven-meter wave, which wiped out buildings and infrastructure. The ICRC is also distributing 6,000 body bags to forensic teams in Benghazi to ensure dignified treatment of the deceased.
Access to the flood-affected areas remains a significant challenge, as roads have been destroyed. The city of Derna is now divided into western and eastern halves due to the torrential waters, according to Abu Bakr Al-Rifadi. Ali Al-Ghazali, who runs the Namaa Organization in Derna, mentioned that the city center, housing essential facilities, has been completely destroyed. The presence of numerous decomposing bodies in the streets has created a pervasive smell of death.
Medical volunteers are grappling with the overwhelming scale of the disaster, and there are concerns about the potential for waterborne diseases to spread. Over 30,000 people have been displaced in Derna, adding pressure to already overwhelmed healthcare facilities. Aid donations, while appreciated, are deemed insufficient to meet the needs of the affected population.
On a positive note, the marine port in Derna is now accessible for ships with a minimum draft level of 6.5 meters to deliver humanitarian aid, as announced by the Libyan Ports and Maritime Transport Authority. International leaders have pledged donations, but questions remain about how aid will reach areas controlled by rival forces.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated that at least $71.4 million is required to assist the 884,000 people estimated to be affected by the floods. Logistical challenges, pre-existing humanitarian conditions, and Libya's dire socio-economic situation are complicating aid efforts. The World Health Organization will release $2 million from its emergency fund, and the World Food Programme has initiated food distribution to displaced families. Libya's eastern leader has allocated substantial funds from the emergency budget to support affected regions.