The United Nations’ top aid official has issued a dire plea for assistance in Libya, as the nation grapples with the aftermath of catastrophic floods that have claimed numerous lives. Martin Griffiths, the UN aid chief, highlighted the pressing need for specialized equipment to locate people trapped in debris and damaged structures, as well as essential primary healthcare to prevent a potential cholera outbreak among survivors.
Speaking at a United Nations briefing in Geneva, Griffiths emphasized the immediate priorities: “Priority areas are shelter, food, key primary medical care because of the worry of cholera, the worry of lack of clean water.”
The United Nations has responded to the crisis by dispatching a disaster coordination team of 15 experts to Libya. This team was redeployed from Morocco, which recently experienced a devastating earthquake.
The city of Derna, situated in the eastern part of Libya, bore the brunt of the destructive floods. The disaster struck during the night, causing entire buildings to collapse while residents were asleep. The extent of the devastation has left the city and its people in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.
Griffiths revealed that the mayor of Derna had proposed the creation of a maritime corridor to deliver aid, considering the city’s proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. He emphasized the importance of this option, saying, “You still keep coming in from the land, you’re finding the people who are fleeing south, fleeing south from Derna, towards aid, away from the cities, so you need to support them as well.”
He added, “But certainly, adding the maritime option makes complete sense.”
The flood disaster in Libya has not only caused immediate loss of life and property but also raised the specter of secondary crises, particularly the potential outbreak of cholera due to a lack of clean water and sanitation. The UN’s urgent appeal underscores the critical need for international support to alleviate the suffering of the flood survivors and prevent further tragedies in the region.
As Libya faces this multifaceted humanitarian crisis, the global community must mobilize resources and support to provide the necessary aid, including medical assistance, clean water, shelter, and food, to help the affected population recover from the devastating floods.
