UN breaks silence on Libya floods as death toll surpases over 5,300
People carry the body of a victim to be placed at a mass grave after a powerful storm and heavy rainfall hit Libya, in Derna, Libya September 12, 2023. REUTERS/Ayman Al-Sahili
The United Nations has pledged its willingness to help the Libyan authorities as it described the devastating floods in the country a “calamity of epic proportions” as more than 5,300 people have been confirmed dead and about 10,000 others have been reported missing.
Hichem Abu Chkiouat, minister of civil aviation, says the death toll is expected to rise, and may even double.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his condolences to the Libyan authorities and the families of those who were affected by the disaster.
He said the UN was collaborating with the authorities of the north African country to assess needs and support relief efforts.
No fewer than 1.8 million people are reported to have been affected by the heavy rains that affected many cities in the country, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Describing the floods as “epic”, WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris said “there’s not been a storm like this in the region in living memory, so it’s a great shock”.
Earlier about three volunteers died while helping victims of heavy floods in eastern Libya, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said.
Jagan Chapagain, the IFRC secretary general, said, “I express our profound sadness and send my deepest condolences to their families and our colleagues at the Libyan Red Crescent.”
Rescue moves continue, but are impeded by Libya’s political predicament, which has the country divided between two opposing administrations.
