Libya: Flood Response Humanitarian Update (as of 28 November 2023) [EN/AR]

This report is produced by OCHA Libya in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from 14 to 28 November 2023. The next report will be issued on or around 12 December.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Market functionality and prices in flood-affected areas largely returned to pre-flood levels, except for some non-food items.

• Access to cash remains a major concern for all affected communities, and access to markets remains limited in Derna.

• The overall number of diarrhea cases is approaching 10,000 tolls, by 28 November, the cumulative number of diarrhea cases is 9,969.

• According to IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the floods in northeastern Libya has reached approximately 44,862 individuals.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Both the number of sites hosting IDPs and the total number of IDPs living on those sites have decreased since the last update. Currently, only seven sites continue to host IDPs 128 IDP households originally from Derna (640 individuals) compared to ten sites hosting 229 IDP households (1,145 individuals).

A rapid assessment of markets in flood-affected areas found that while there was significant impact on markets and prices in the aftermath of the floods, by the end of October the overall situation returned to pre-flood levels. In Derna, half of the interviewed retailers reported that curfews continue to impact their business, and one in three consumers reported that flood-related factors continued to affect their access to marketplaces. Most shops re-opened and prices stabilized for most hygiene and essential food items. Some non-food household items are not available or more expensive than before, while demand increased in many areas after the floods. Many people, however, were found to face financial barriers to access markets, with difficulties accessing cash being the main issue for people in flood-affected areas. The assessment was conducted by the REACH Initiatives on behalf of the Cash and Markets Working Group (CMWG). The findings are based on 510 key informant interviews in Derna, Almarj, Benghazi, Tobruk and Al Jabal Al Akhdar districts. It did focus on the main markets and may not reflect the situation in remoter locations, as well as people who are not able to physically access markets.

Preliminary findings of a UNDP rapid assessment, conducted through key informant interviews, of flood-impacts on community infrastructure, women, social services, and livelihoods highlight a likelihood of tensions between communal groups in the post-flood situation. Access to livelihoods is a significant concern, with destroyed or damaged markets, businesses, and loss of crops and livestock. Concerning immediate rehabilitation, key priorities vary across locations. In general, priority was given by most communities to water and sewage networks, roads, streets, and bridges, as well as health services. The assessment further found over 5,500 female-headed households in the affected areas. Final assessment results will give more details on their specific situation.

According to IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the floods in northeastern Libya has reached approximately 44,862 individuals. Over half of the IDPs are living in privately rented accommodation, which remains too expensive for many, while 45 per cent of IDPs reside with host families.

Instances of diarrheal diseases have seen a slight uptick, with a total of 9,969 cumulative cases, with the city of Al Bayda continuing to report the highest number of incidents, potentially linked to the continuous use of contaminated water sources for consumption and personal hygiene. Respiratory conditions are also prevalent but stable.