Today's Edition
DINA MAHMOUD (BENGHAZI, LONDON)
Four months after devastating floods struck on September 10, 2023, the Libyan coastal city of Derna is still awaiting reconstruction. The floods resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread destruction, presenting significant challenges for authorities at both local and national levels.
According to experts, containing the ongoing destructive aftermath of these catastrophic floods requires sustained, coordinated efforts to facilitate the currently hindered reconstruction process. Despite the commitment of local authorities to assist the affected, establish temporary shelters, and distribute relief materials, the reconstruction process remains slow.
The Reconstruction Fund for Derna and other affected cities and regions continues to clear new pathways and prepare roads in all neighbourhoods of Derna. Experts emphasise that Derna’s urgent need for support and humanitarian aid from the international community stems from the crisis that has persisted since the floods, as the city requires more essential goods and enhanced medical services. They also noted the importance of preparing and equipping additional accommodation for those displaced by the disaster.
While meeting these urgent humanitarian needs is essential, launching long-term initiatives focusing on restoring Derna’s destroyed infrastructure and providing psychological care for its residents is also vital for community recovery. Psychological support services are increasingly important considering that the floods in Derna not only caused severe human and material damage, but significantly impacted the psychological wellbeing of the population.
This is particularly poignant, given that Derna was under the control of the terrorist organisation Da’esh from late 2014 to mid-2018. Experts note that the four years of terrorism hindered efforts to leverage Derna’s prominent coastal location, exacerbating its long-standing marginalisation. This neglect led to the deterioration of infrastructure facilities, especially schools and hospitals.
After the September floods, there was some deliberation on whether allowing Derna’s residents to return immediately after its liberation from Da’esh in 2018 was the right step, especially considering Libya’s ongoing political divisions which have hampered efforts to convene an international conference for the city’s reconstruction.
A report by the Eurasia Review raised questions about the accountability of local officials for neglecting Derna’s infrastructure, particularly the dams that collapsed under the weight of the floodwaters, leading to unprecedented human and material losses.
