The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is ready to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to complement national and local efforts in response to the deadly storm that killed 150 people in eastern Libya.
“We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and our thoughts for all people affected,” UNSMIL said in a statement today.
The United Nations in Libya is closely following the emergency caused by severe weather conditions in the eastern region of the country. We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and our thoughts for all people affected. pic.twitter.com/KahuA1P4g9
— UNSMIL (@UNSMILibya) September 11, 2023
Similarly, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Libya, Georgette Gagnon, said she “tasked an emergency response team to prepare to support local authorities and partners in the region.”
“I call on all local, national, and international partners to join hands to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people in eastern Libya during this difficult time,” she added.
As the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Libya, I am deeply saddened by the severe impact of Hurricane Daniel on the country and have tasked an emergency response team to prepare to support local authorities and partners in the region. pic.twitter.com/yQptqVP3s1
— Georgette Gagnon (@ggagnonn) September 11, 2023
150 people have been killed after Mediterranean Storm Daniel unleashed extreme floods across the eastern coastal line of Libya.
Over the weekend, Libyans shared footage on social media showing flooded houses and roads in many areas across eastern Libya. They pleaded for help as floods besieged people inside their homes and in their vehicles.
Derna, a city which was the worst hit, has become inaccessible and local media reported that the situation there was catastrophic with no electricity or communications.
Ossama Hamad, the prime minister of Libyan parliament-backed government, has declared Derna a disaster zone after heavy rainfall and floods destroyed much of the city.
Rival authorities in eastern and western parts of the country have announced three days of national mourning and ordered flags across the country to be lowered to half-mast.
The subtropical storm is part of a series of powerful storms wreaking havoc worldwide as the global climate crisis starts to enter an acute phase.
Libyan authorities took precautionary measures, closing schools and stores, imposing a 24-hour curfew on September 10 and closing four oil ports. The National Meteorological Center also warned of weather fluctuations affecting the northeastern regions of Libya, accompanied by strong winds in most areas, exceeding speeds of 70 kilometers per hour at times.