Photo : Esam Omran Al-Fetori, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Esam Omran Al-Fetori, Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Libya: Devastating floods kills more than 11,000
On 13 September, the United Nations described the deadly floods in Libya as a “calamity of epic proportions.” According to the UN, more than 11,000 people have died and more than 10,000 are missing. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) nearly 1.8 million people are affected by the torrential rains that hit several cities in the country. The city of Derna has been severely affected by Storm Daniel and the floods. Meanwhile, the prime minister of the country's internationally recognised government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, which operates from the capital, Tripoli, in the west of the country stated that: “There were multiple offers of help and we will only accept aid that is necessary.” The worst-hit city of Derna is located in eastern Libya, governed by the rival government. The rescue efforts have been hampered by the political rift. (“Have political divisions slowed aid response to floods?,” BBC, 13 September; “Flood-hit Libyan city living through 'doomsday',” BBC, 13 September; “Libya floods a disaster of epic proportions - UN,” BBC, 13 September)