DERNA, Libya – Brigadier General Saddam Khalifa has assumed a leading role coordinating humanitarian aid in Derna following devastating floods on September 11th.
General Khalifa was appointed to head the newly established Disaster Response Committee after the crisis began unfolding. In this capacity, he has worked extensively with international aid organizations and military officials on the ground in the hard-hit region.
According to sources, General Khalifa instituted evacuation protocols prior to the worst flooding. Since then, he has focused efforts on damage assessments and directing rescue operations in affected areas.
Representatives from NGOs and agencies involved in the humanitarian response say General Khalifa has actively participated in relief planning and logistics meetings. “He has been very engaged with our teams,” one aid worker noted.
As a prominent military authority in the region, General Khalifa has leveraged substantial resources to support the delivery of aid and critical rebuilding initiatives.
While he does not have specific disaster response expertise, sources say General Khalifa has taken an active, hands-on role meeting with residents, surveying destruction first-hand, and coordinating responders on the ground.
The floods inflicted catastrophic damage across Derna and surrounding areas. With General Khalifa now guiding relief efforts, the international community continues working closely with him to address immense humanitarian needs still unfolding.