The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says an estimated 43,421 people have remained displaced by floods from Storm Daniel, which occurred in northeastern Libya on 11 September.
Development Diaries reports that displaced households from Derna have continued relocating to western municipalities, according to the latest IOM Libya report.
Six percent of the displaced people are in western Libya, while 94 percent are still in eastern Libyan towns, with Derna (38 percent), Benghazi (ten percent), Albayda (ten percent), Shahat (nine percent), and Tobruk (eight percent) having the highest percentages.
Many people suffered a total loss as the floods destroyed entire neighbourhoods, homes, and buildings, while many others are grieving for loved ones.
The IOM had recently called for an immediate scale-up of donor funding to meet its estimated needs of U.S.$22 million to urgently accelerate early recovery efforts in the areas leveled by the flooding.
Communities are struggling with losing their homes and essential resources since over 30,000 homes and buildings have been impacted.
The flooding has negatively impacted eastern Libya’s health system, hitting primary health care centres
(PHCs) and vaccination units, with over half of the health facilities in affected areas having partially or entirely ceased operations.
Also, it has had an impact on the infrastructure for water and sanitation, which resulted in severe water shortages and issues with the environment and public health.
Furthermore, the floods have increased the possibility of groundwater pollution and create a serious risk of waterborne illness.
The storm also severely disrupted education in eastern Libya, affecting 15 municipalities, according to data from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
It is understood that out of the 117 impacted schools and facilities across 15 municipalities, 44 suffered significant damage, and four were destroyed.
Development Diaries calls on donors and development partners to step up funding in order to help meet the needs of survivors to aid in speedy recovery from the devastation.
Source: IOM
Photo source: UN
