Apocalypse In Libya. World Mobilizes Help
Devastating floods in Libya have killed at least 10,000 people, but there are fears the tragic toll could quickly rise. World solidarity: Italy is sending two planes and a ship to help the people of Libya.
The situation in the Libyan port city of Derna, which was virtually leveled last weekend after flooding of biblical proportions, was described by the International Red Cross as “catastrophic beyond comprehension.” The organization reported that more than 10,000 people were killed or missing in Derna alone.
This North African country was badly damaged by Storm Daniel that hit its northern coast on Saturday evening. The mayor of Derna refuted the Red Cross estimates: according to the mayor, the number of victims ranges from 18 to 20 thousand people. In an interview with Saudi Arabian TV channel Al Arabiya, the mayor explained that “the figures are based on the number of settlements destroyed by the flood.” UN representatives said that it’s an emergency situation and there are concerns for the health of residents: the water is contaminated, unfound bodies remain under the rubble or in the sea, which increases the risk of spreading infectious diseases.
Many countries around the world immediately expressed their solidarity with the Libyan people. Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the government to provide Libya with all necessary assistance. Great Britain will provide £1.25 million to help affected communities cope with the dramatic impact of unprecedented flooding.
The Italian government is preparing to send humanitarian aid to the most affected populations. Two Italian Air Force planes are ready to fly from Pisa to Cyrenaica to deliver aid, while the San Giorgio ship is heading to Derna.
Egypt has started building several camps “to provide shelter for Libyan brothers who have lost their homes.”
Meanwhile, Libyan navy units are sailing off the coast of Derna to recover the bodies of “entire families swept out to sea,” authorities said in a statement. This is exactly what happened to about a quarter of the city with one hundred thousand people: houses, people who lived there, and vehicles were all swept away and carried towards the Mediterranean Sea.