In Derna, in eastern Libya, one week after the devastating floods caused by Storm Daniel, a large number of bodies remain buried under the rubble, posing a significant hygiene threat. On the ground, UN agencies are working tirelessly to prevent the spread of diseases.
The United Nations fears that contaminated water could lead to “a second devastating crisis” in the region.
In a statement, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) explained that teams from nine UN agencies are present in Derna and other cities in eastern Libya to provide assistance and support to the affected population. “Local authorities, aid agencies, and the World Health Organization (WHO) team are all concerned about the risk of disease spread, especially due to contaminated water and lack of hygiene,” according to the UN.
Emergency medical kits have been distributed to healthcare facilities by UNICEF to support 15,000 people for three months.
Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is distributing “basic relief kits, including blankets, plastic sheeting, and kitchen equipment, to 6,200 displaced families in Derna and Benghazi,” the largest city in eastern Libya.
In addition, the World Food Programme (WFP) has provided food rations to more than 5,000 households, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has dispatched 28 tons of medical supplies via a chartered flight.