DERNA, Libya/GENEVA, - In the aftermath of a devastating flood that struck the Libyan city of Derna, residents and rescue workers are grappling with a grim humanitarian crisis. Thousands of corpses are washing up on shores, decaying under debris, and being buried in mass graves, causing concerns about mental distress for families and health risks. This catastrophe unfolded after torrential rain caused two dams to burst in a nation already plagued by a decade of conflict and political instability.

The World Health Organization and other aid organizations have called on Libyan authorities to halt the practice of mass burials due to its potential long-term psychological impact and health hazards, especially if near water sources. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported an overwhelming number of bodies littering the streets and beaches near Derna, with the fear of groundwater contamination from the mixture of corpses, dead animals, refuse, and chemicals.

The situation has raised fears of waterborne diseases spreading, although no cholera cases have been reported yet. The International Organization for Migration mission in Libya estimates that over 5,000 people are presumed dead, with over 3,900 deaths recorded in hospitals and more than 38,000 people displaced.

The true extent of the tragedy remains uncertain, with officials warning that the death toll could be even higher. Concerns are growing about the potential for an epidemic outbreak as the bodies continue to decompose.

The WHO, ICRC, and International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have called for a more organized approach to burials, advocating for individual graves that are properly documented and demarcated. Rushed mass burials can lead to mental anguish for families and create social and legal complications.

Efforts are being made to identify unidentified bodies before burial, providing a chance for grieving families to later identify their loved ones. Mass graves have been reported in both Derna and Al Bayda, another coastal city affected by the flooding.

The Norwegian Refugee Council has emphasized the urgency of managing the deceased, with rescue workers appealing for body bags. International aid, including body bags and other supplies, is pouring in to assist in the crisis.

In addition to the immediate humanitarian concerns, there are fears that flooding could dislodge landmines, prompting the Danish Refugee Council to send a team of explosives disposal experts.

As Libya's own authorities struggle to respond effectively, frustrated residents are feeling let down by their fragmented government. The United Nations has called for equipment to locate people trapped in debris and damaged buildings, as well as primary healthcare to prevent a potential cholera outbreak in the region.