Cholera danger in flood-hit Libya

As Libya struggles to heal the wounds of the flood disaster caused by Storm Daniel, aid efforts are ongoing while fears grow regarding the emergence of infectious diseases. According to a report by DW Turkish, international aid organizations operating in the country are describing the humanitarian situation in the city of Derna, in the east of the country, which was most severely affected by the disaster, as a 'catastrophe' and are warning that cholera could spread.

In a statement made by the organization Doctors Without Borders, attention was drawn to the chaos in aid efforts, and the phrase "It is essential to coordinate aid here" was used.

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths also stated in a press conference in Geneva that "survivors are in urgent need of shelter, food, and basic medical care due to concerns about cholera and a lack of clean drinking water."

The newspaper Arab News reported that the Ministry of Health in the capital, Tripoli, has warned that groundwater in Derna has been contaminated with human and animal corpses, garbage, and chemical substances. The newspaper included the statement from Minister of Health Ibrahim El Arabi: "We are asking people not to approach water wells and sources in Derna."

55 CHILDREN FALL ILL IN DERNA

Speaking to the news portal El Wasat, the Head of the National Center for Disease Control said that 55 children in the eastern city of Derna had fallen ill due to contaminated water. Manoella Carton, Medical Operations Manager for Doctors Without Borders, also stated, "We are concerned about the spread of diseases through contaminated drinking water following such a disaster." Pointing out that there are many volunteers in the country, Carton said, "Everyone wants to help, but there is a very chaotic environment." Expressing that they have to wait in traffic for hours to determine where and what is needed in the disaster-stricken areas, Carton also reminded that people are in need of psychological support.

Bashir Omar, a spokesperson for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in the region, drew attention to communication problems regarding aid, saying, "The humanitarian situation in Libya is catastrophic. The needs are far greater than what all the local and international institutions and organizations working here can handle."

DEATH TOLL COULD REACH 20 THOUSAND

At least 3 thousand 930 people have lost their lives so far due to the floods caused by Storm Daniel, which hit Libya, and the collapse of two dams in Derna. However, there are conflicting statements regarding the death toll. While the International Committee of the Red Cross sent 5 thousand body bags to Benghazi, Derna Mayor Abdul Moneim al-Gheithy said that 19 to 20 thousand people may have lost their lives.

The fact that the country has been effectively divided into two regions, east and west, since 2014 makes it difficult to coordinate aid. In the west of the country, there is the UN-backed Tripoli government, where Abdulhamid Dbeibeh is prime minister. The eastern region, where Derna is located, is governed by the National Stability Government of Prime Minister Osama Hamad, which is based in Tobruk and supported by the Libyan National Army commanded by General Khalifa Haftar.

News Source: 12punto