Libya: Flood Response Humanitarian Update (as of 20 March 2024) [EN/AR]

This report is produced by OCHA Libya in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from 20 February 2024 to 20 March 2024.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Humanitarian response is transitioning from emergency relief towards early recovery and reconstruction, with a focus on addressing residual needs and building long-term resilience for affected communities.

• WASH partners continued efforts to improve access to safe water, reaching over 140,000 individuals through water trucking, borehole rehabilitation, and water network expansion.

• Distributions of NFIs were completed, with a transition towards targeted shelter interventions, including cash for rent and shelter rehabilitation.

• Humanitarian partners continued to face access constraints in reaching affected populations, particularly in Derna, due to bureaucratic impediments, approval delays, and limitations on engagement with certain communities.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Six months following Storm Daniel's impact on northeastern Libya, including the flooding in Derna, Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) and their partners have made significant strides in their humanitarian response and early recovery efforts. Over 247,000 individuals have received assistance, highlighting the broad reach of these efforts amidst challenging circumstances.

Persisting challenges such as access constraints and socio-cultural barriers have complicated efforts to reach the most vulnerable populations effectively. The economic strain on affected communities is evident, with rising food basket costs in Derna and Albayda (see Food Security section for further details). Furthermore, access issues and cultural sensitivities have made it particularly difficult to provide protection services to women, girls, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups. In response, the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and OCHA are actively engaging with authorities to improve humanitarian access and outreach to those in need.

In terms of assistance, WASH activities have benefited over 140,000 individuals, with 102,000 receiving improved water supply through water trucking, borehole rehabilitation, and network expansion. Food assistance, delivered via food-restricted prepaid cards totalling over USD 128,000, has reached 6,133 individuals. Additionally, a nutrition screening and awareness campaign supported nearly 8,000 schoolchildren. Shelter and health sectors have also seen significant efforts, with 4,400 individuals receiving shelter assistance and health partners enhancing service delivery systems, distributing medical supplies, and deploying specialized personnel to underserved areas.

Field missions conducted by OCHA and UN agencies in the most affected municipalities have been crucial for engaging with local authorities and partners, monitoring progress, and identifying ongoing needs and gaps. These missions have pinpointed key priorities, including shelter and infrastructure rehabilitation, healthcare staffing and equipment, restoration of educational facilities, social services provision, waste management support, and the improvement of coordination among responders.

As the emergency response phase nears completion, with some TWGs concluding acute emergency distributions by June 2024, a transition plan is being prepared. Efforts are being realigned to focus on early recovery and reconstruction support and to handover some longer-term support through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF, 2023-2025). This transition is being carefully managed through consultations among the DSRSG/RC/HC, TWGs, donors, UN agencies, NGOs and local initiatives, to define a timeframe that ensures the effective finalization of humanitarian assistance and a smooth transition to early recovery and reconstruction, all while continuing to support those in need.