Libya Floods Emergency Appeal

A powerful storm has triggered devastating flooding in Libya, killing at least 4,000 people with thousands more feared to be missing.

Around ten thousand people are still missing, and the country is in a state of extreme emergency. The death toll is rising by the hour, as more information emerges.

At least 150 homes have been destroyed so far, leaving many families highly vulnerable. 

The eastern cities of Benghazi, Sousse, Derna and Al-Marj have all been affected. There has been extensive damage to the infrastructure with roads and bridges destroyed. Schools and shops have been ordered to close.

The city of Derna is home to approximately 100,000 people – where reportedly two dams have collapsed, submerging much of the area. Over 3,000 Derna residents are feared to have died in the disaster, which has been described by Libyan government minister Hisham Chkiouat as, “like a tsunami”.

Islamic Relief’s response

Islamic Relief was one of the first humanitarian organisations to reach Derna, and we are working with local partners on the ground and delivering urgently needed relief like mattresses and blankets, food packs, and other vital aid to affected communities.

We have already committed an initial £100,000 to provide emergency aid.

The international community and international agencies must grasp the level of devastation. International assistance is urgently required for Libya.

• We call on all Governments to increase their pledges to aid organisations providing humanitarian responses in Libya.
• We call on the international community to respond immediately to flood-stricken families’ urgent needs, including emergency shelter, food, clean water, cash transfers, and primary healthcare.
• We call for a joint up Humanitarian response that must include a whole systems approach to the disaster from UN, INGO and NNGOs for flood-affected victims, considering the variable around the vulnerabilities of affected communities.