Catastrophic floods in Libya: Acted and its partners are mobilised in the country
Heavy storms and rain caused deadly flooding in Libya on the night of September 10-11. Following the collapse of two major dams, it is estimated that over 5,000 people died and 10,000 are missing. Nearly 20,000 people are thought to have been displaced. The city of Derna, where the dams were located, has been devastated. Acted has been present in the country since 2011 and is currently mobilizing its resources to respond to the emergency.
The city of Derna, in eastern Libya, was hard hit, with many buildings and infrastructure completely destroyed, and entire neighborhoods swept away. Damage is also widespread in other areas, including Benghazi, Al-Jabal Al-Akhder, Al-Marj, Batah, Bayada, Albayda, Shahat and Sousse. Key access infrastructures, such as bridges and roads, have been destroyed. Communication has also been complicated, with electricity, telephone and internet connections cut off. The city, where Acted was present before the disaster, has been declared a disaster zone.
How we act
Acted has been present in Libya since 2011, and was the only international NGO operating in Derna before the floods. Today, we are focusing our aid efforts on this area, which is well known to our teams. At this very moment, our teams are working to assess the needs of those affected in order to provide the most effective and relevant humanitarian assistance possible.
Those affected urgently need shelter, food assistance, clean water, sanitation facilities, hygiene kits and more. Acted also plans to provide psychosocial support and child protection assistance.
Funds are essential to provide immediate assistance to people to meet their basic needs and protect their health and dignity.
Acted in Libya
Acted has been present in Libya for almost 12 years, during which time it has supported almost 900,000 people in the country. Acted Libya’s offices are located in Tripoli, Benghazi, Derna and Sebha. Acted works closely with local actors in the country to ensure a participatory approach in the projects it implements. These projects range from emergency humanitarian assistance to development projects, for example linked to support for civil society or social entrepreneurship in the country. Acted also implements education and child protection projects in the country.
Today, following the catastrophic floods in the east of the country, Acted is mobilizing its teams for an emergency response to the needs of those affected.