The floods in Libya, particularly in the city of Derna, resulted in the displacement of over 43,000 people, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). These devastating floods occurred when a massive flash flood, akin to a tsunami, breached two aging river dams upstream from Derna on September 10, following heavy rains in the area.
The catastrophe led to the destruction of entire neighborhoods and tragically swept away numerous individuals into the Mediterranean Sea.
While the official death toll currently stands at over 3,300, it is anticipated that the final count will be significantly higher. Some international aid organizations have estimated that as many as 10,000 people may still be missing as a result of this tragic event.
“An estimated 43,059 individuals have been displaced by the floods in northeastern Libya,” the IOM said, adding that a “lack of water supply is reportedly driving many displaced out of Derna” to other areas.
“Urgent needs include food, drinking water and mental health and psychosocial support,” it said.
Mobile and internet services were restored Thursday after a two-day disruption, following protests Monday that saw angry residents blame the authorities for the high death toll.
The national telecom company said communications were down due to “a rupture in the optical fiber” link to Derna. Still, some internet users and analysts charged there had been a deliberate “blackout”.
Earlier this week, the United Nations warned that disease outbreaks could bring “a second devastating crisis” to the flood-hit areas.
Local officials, aid agencies, and the World Health Organization “are concerned about the risk of disease outbreak, particularly from contaminated water and the lack of sanitation”, the UN said.
Libya’s disease control center warned that mains water in the disaster zone is polluted and called on residents not to use it.
