Title: “Devastating Floods in Eastern Libya Leave Thousands in Urgent Need of Aid”

Floods Devastate Port City of Derna in Eastern Libya

In recent days, the port city of Derna in eastern Libya has been ravaged by severe flooding, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. As the situation worsens, the United Nations (UN) has announced that the two opposing governments in Libya are joining forces to provide relief to the affected areas.

Cooperation Amidst Chaos

With over 5,300 fatalities and an additional 10,000 people still missing, the floods have taken a heavy toll on the city. Tens of thousands have been displaced, losing their homes and belongings. Despite the longstanding political divide in the country, both the Government of National Unity (GNA) in the west and the Council of Representatives in the east have reached out to the international community for assistance.

The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) has stated that the two Libyan governments are currently in contact with each other, setting aside their differences to tackle the crisis together. Tawoid Pasha from the IOM emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging the international community to respond swiftly and allocate the necessary funds.

A Nation Divided

Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, Libya has been split into two competing governments, one in the west and another in the east. The GNA, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah, is internationally recognized, while the eastern administration called the Council of Representatives, led by Prime Minister Osama Hamad, continues to vie for power.

Commander Khalifa Haftar, who leads the Libyan National Army (LNA), holds significant influence in the east. Following the floods, Haftar welcomed a military delegation from Egypt, which offered assistance to the affected regions.

Unified Response Needed

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, stressed the importance of unity among all political factions in addressing the flood crisis. He emphasized that the focus should be on helping all affected residents, regardless of their affiliations, and protecting vulnerable groups who are at a higher risk during such disasters.

However, the political division within Libya has proven to be a major obstacle in coordinating rescue efforts. Abdulkader Assad, the political editor of the Libya Observer, highlighted the impact of the lack of a unified central government on the lives of citizens, especially in times of catastrophic events.

International Support

To aid in the rescue and relief operations, foreign countries have dispatched search and rescue teams and humanitarian supplies to the affected areas. Egypt and Tunisia have sent personnel, while Turkey provided approximately 160 individuals. Italy and Spain have contributed firefighting personnel.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) stressed the urgency of finding survivors, as time is running out. The Libyan Red Crescent reported extensive damage and the urgent need for assistance, with entire villages destroyed and numerous families left in dire circumstances.

A Desperate Search for Loved Ones

Among those affected is Usama Al Husadi, who is desperately searching for his wife and five children. Despite visiting hospitals and schools, his efforts to locate his family have been in vain. Tragically, he revealed that around 50 of his relatives are either missing or deceased.

Furthermore, the Egyptian Ministry of Immigration confirmed that the bodies of approximately 80 Egyptian immigrants who lost their lives in the flood have been repatriated and laid to rest in their hometowns.

The situation in Derna remains critical, and the need for immediate and comprehensive support from the international community is paramount to alleviate the suffering of the affected population.

Image copyright: GETTY IMAGES

video description,

Floods are ravaging the port city of Derna in eastern Libya

Related information article….Reporter, Ape Walsh, BBC News

2 hours ago

With Libya recently suffering major damage due to major floods, the United Nations (United Nations) announced that the two opposing governments that rule the country, divided into east and west, are cooperating to provide relief from flood damage.

The floods caused two dams to collapse in the eastern port city of Derna, killing more than 5,300 people, and at least 10,000 people are still missing. Tens of thousands of people have lost their homes.

One of the UN officials explained that the two governments in Libya have asked for help from the international community, and that the two governments are in contact with each other at the moment.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s ‘World Tonight’ programme, Tawoid Pasha from the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) said, “Both governments have asked for help from the international community.”

Pasha said,[리비아 서쪽의] The Government of National Unity (GNA) requested extended support from us on behalf of all of Libya. “We are also cooperating with the eastern government,” he said.

He added, “The task that remains is for the international community to respond appropriately to the demands and needs of these governments.”

He explained that the international community must provide support “very, very quickly” and that “money is needed for this.”

Meanwhile, in Libya, since the long-ruling regime of Muammar Gaddafi fell in 2011, two competing governments have divided the country into east and west. In addition, a chaotic situation continues as various armed forces proliferate.

Among them, the government recognized by the international community is the Government of National Unity (GNA) in the west, currently led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah, centered in Tripoli, the capital.

In the east, Prime Minister Osama Hamad is competing to lead another administration called the Council of Representatives. However, many believe that Supreme Commander Khalifa Haftar, who leads the Libyan National Army (LNA), is the real power here.

Commander Haftar welcomed the military delegation from Egypt who offered help after the floods.

picture explanation,

Commander Khalifa Haftar, who took control of eastern Libya, exchanges greetings with the Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Army, Osama Askar.

picture explanation,

Egypt is providing humanitarian aid supplies by air

Meanwhile, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said, “Now is the time when everyone’s goals must be united,” and he stressed that all political groups must cooperate in response to this flood.

“Residents affected by this flood (regardless of which side they belong to) must receive help. In particular, we must pay attention to the protection of vulnerable groups who are more at risk in the face of such disasters.”

Meanwhile, Abdulkader Assad, the political editor of the Libya Observer, pointed out that the division of the country, with the internationally recognized government competing with another government in the east, was an obstacle to rescue efforts.

Editor-in-Chief Assad said, “As everyone knows, Libya has been divided into two governments for at least the last 10 years.” “I couldn’t lose,” he explained.

“However, as some regions are currently experiencing catastrophic natural disasters, I feel that the lack of a unified central government is having an impact on the lives of citizens.”

Meanwhile, the support that the Libyan rescue team in the Derna region has received from foreign countries is as follows:

He sent search and rescue teams from Egypt and Tunisia, about 160 personnel from Turkey, and firefighting personnel from Italy and Spain.

Tomaso della Longa, spokesman for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), stressed that time is running out to find survivors.

“Unfortunately, the window of opportunity (to find survivors) will close in the next few hours,” Della Longa said. But there is still hope,” he said.

He said, “It was like a bombing and an earthquake… “It seemed as if it happened at the same time,” was the description of the Libyan Red Crescent team members at the scene.

“Our field team says that the entire city is not intact, several villages have been completely destroyed and thousands of families are now in a truly dire situation with nothing,” Della Longa added.

image copyright GETTY IMAGES

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Türkiye provided three planes to Libya to transport rescue teams and relief supplies.

Meanwhile, Usama Al Husadi (52) is looking for his wife and five children following this devastating flood.

In an interview with Reuters, Al Husadi held his face in his hands and said, “I’m walking around looking for my family… “We searched every hospital and school, but we were in vain,” he said.

In addition, Al Husadi added, “At least 50 of my father’s relatives are missing or dead.”

Meanwhile, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Immigration, the bodies of around 80 Egyptian immigrants who died in this flood were returned to Egypt and buried in their respective towns.

picture explanation,

Site of flood damage, including bridge collapse

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