Beyond the immediate risks of death and injury, the severe floods in Libya put children at increased risk of waterborne diseases, displacement and loss of essential services
Nearly 300,000 children are estimated to have been exposed to the powerful Storm Daniel across eastern Libya and a growing number of children and families are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, following significant damage to numerous homes, hospitals, schools, and other essential infrastructure.
Storm Daniel unleashed havoc across eastern Libya on Sunday, bursting dams and destroying buildings in many towns, but particularly in Al Bayda, Al Marj and in the coastal city of Derna. Derna, a town of about 90,000 people, was already severely affected by conflict and its path to recovery is now set back years given the immense devastation.
Storm Daniel has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 5,000 people, with several hundreds more still missing. At least 30,000 internally displaced persons, sheltered in schools and many areas, remain cut off and inaccessible. At least three hospitals are currently out of service, and at least ten primary health care centers are flooded.
"The children of Libya are facing yet again another tragedy after over a decade of conflict. Our priority is to scale up life-saving assistance, in particular providing health and water and sanitation supplies, psychosocial support, family tracing and preventing water borne diseases. To prevent a catastrophe, we can't afford to lose any time", said Michele Servadei, UNICEF Representative in Libya, who is currently visiting the areas affected by the floods.
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