IBC FLASH APPEAL RESPONDING LIBYA FLOOD
Background
On September 10th, Storm Daniel struck northeastern Libya, causing torrential rains and flash floods that affected numerous cities and towns. The human casualties are substantial and are expected to increase further. OCHA estimates that around 884,000 people in five provinces (Mantikas) reside in areas directly impacted by the storm and flash floods in Libya, experiencing varying degrees of impact.
Several factors are influencing and exacerbating the severity of humanitarian needs, including preexisting humanitarian conditions, deterioration of socio-economic situation, logistical and access constraints to certain areas. Prior to the storm, some 300,000 people in Libya were assessed to require humanitarian assistance according to the 2023 Humanitarian Overview.
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Libyan House of Representatives issued on 11 September, an urgent appeal for international help in dealing with Storm Daniel’s devastating impact on the Cyrenaica region. Stating that the humanitarian situation is catastrophic, the committee highlighted that local authorities were overwhelmed and called for immediate support from the United Nations, international organizations, and neighboring countries.
The hardest-hit areas include Derna, Albayda, Soussa, Al-Marj, Shahat, Taknis, Battah, Tolmeita, Bersis, Tokra, and Al-Abyar, among others. Schools and hotels are being used as shelters. Albayda’s hospital, which serves the entire Green Mountain region, has been flooded, forcing the evacuation of ICU patients to private hospitals and clinics, and relocating other patients to different buildings.
According to UNOSAT analysis, more than 2,200 buildings are believed to have encountered flooding. In 2022, REACH reported that the majority of households in Derna, totaling 69 percent, had unmet needs related to WASH. The mayor of Derna has characterized the city's situation as deteriorating rapidly and has issued a plea for international intervention. Due to the deterioration of most roadways, the municipality is urging relevant authorities to establish a sea corridor for emergency relief and evacuations.
