Heavy storms and rains have caused deadly floodings in Libya over the past two days. Following the collapse of two major dams, an estimated 2,000 people have died and 10,000 are missing. The town of Derna, where the dams were located, has been devastated. Acted has been present in the country since 2011 and is currently mobilising its resources to respond to the emergency.
The city of Derna, in eastern Libya, has been hard hit, with many buildings and infrastructure completely destroyed and entire neighbourhoods swept away. Damage is also widespread in other areas, including Benghazi, Al-Jabal Al-Akhder, Al-Marj, Batah, Bayada, Albayda, Shahat and Sousse. Access to the affected areas remains difficult due to the destruction of key infrastructure, such as bridges and roads. Communication is also complicated due to electricity, telephone and internet connections being cut off. The city of Derna has been declared a disaster area. An estimated 10,000 people are already missing and 20,000 have been displaced in the affected areas.
Acted has been present in Libya since 2011, and is the only international NGO operating in Derna, a city particularly hard hit by the floods, where more than 2,000 people have died as a result of the disaster. Acted is focusing its aid efforts on this area known to its teams, and will be providing emergency shelter, food assistance, non-food household items, hygiene kits, child protection and psychosocial support.
The funds are essential to provide immediate aid to the population to meet their basic needs and protect their health and dignity.