As local officials in Libya estimate that the death toll from the disaster that struck the country last Sunday may reach 20,000, particularly with around 30,000 still missing, a new tragedy has unfolded.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya announced on Friday that more than 38,640 people have been displaced from the hardest-hit areas in northeast Libya due to Storm Daniel.
According to their website, over 5,000 people have lost their lives, with a total of 3,922 deaths recorded in hospitals, according to sources from the World Health Organization.
Additionally, they pointed out a severe shortage of drinking water and fuel in the devastated city of Derna in the northeast of the country. They emphasized that the communication network there is still limited and cannot be relied upon.
🔴 IOM Libya reports on the latest humanitarian and displacement situation in areas affected by Storm Daniel. Over 38,640 individuals were displaced in most affected areas of northeastern Libya. Read the latest DTM Flash Update: https://t.co/qA050TmLiw pic.twitter.com/cnMSVusKi5
— IOM Libya (@IOM_Libya) September 15, 2023
At least 30,000 individuals were displaced in Derna due to Storm Daniel, with 3,000 in Al-Bayda, 2,595 in Al-Marj, 2,195 in Benghazi, 350 in Soussa, 300 in Almkheley, 200 in Wardeah and fewer than 20 in Shahat, according to the IOM Libya.
“The restoration of some roads, which had previously been blocked, is now allowing some individuals affected by the floods to leave the areas hit by Storm Daniel in search of safety, shelter and basic necessities,” IOM added.
At least 6,000 people were killed and thousands of others remain missing due to the weekend floods in eastern Libya, according to latest official numbers.
On Monday, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent put the figure of missing people at 10,000.
Torrential rains from Storm Daniel swept several areas on Sunday in eastern Libya, most notably Benghazi, Al-Bayda and Al-Marj, as well as Soussa and Derna.