The humanitarian situation in Libya has continued to deteriorate as there have been reports of escalating public health crises following the flooding disaster. 

Development Diaries reports that the International Rescue Committee (IRC) recently revealed that water sources have been contaminated with sewage due to the floods, which have rendered the water unsafe for consumption.

This, in turn, has exposed communities to grave health risks, particularly residents of Derna.

Derna took the brunt of the flooding, following the collapse of two dams outside the city, which sent a torrent of water through the streets and washed entire structures out to sea.

According to the Libyan Red Crescent, over 11,000 people are reported dead in Derna, and a further 10,100 are missing. 

In its report, IRC recorded that 55 children have become sick as a result of contaminated water in Derna.

The International Medical Corps (IMC), in its situation report, also noted that the threat of further rain and flooding will worsen the outbreak of waterborne disease in an already compromised environment.

Also, vulnerable populations, especially women and children, are at increased risk. So it is essential to have access to clean water, functional sanitation facilities, and hygiene promotion.

It is also understood that the aid organisations have had difficulty getting into affected cities including Derna, Sousse, Shahat, Al Marj, Al Bayada and other rural communities due to the floods’ destruction of roads and bridges.

Development Diaries calls on the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to intensify efforts towards providing every form of assistance needed to help affected regions overcome health-related challenges from the flooding disaster. 

Photo source: IRC