Libya: Flood update Flash Update No.2 (15 September 2023)

Highlights

• Following the devastation caused by Storm Daniel which made landfall in Libya on 10 September, the death toll continues to rise with estimates ranging from 5,000 to 6,0000 dead depending on sources and almost 10,000 people still missing. A total of 3,922 deaths have been registered in hospitals, according to WHO sources. Rescue teams continue their search for survivors.

• Significant displacement is being observed across affected regions, most notably in Derna, where available data indicates that at least 30,000 individuals have been displaced.* Search and rescue operations are ongoing, especially in Derna, where accessibility remains a critical challenge due to damaged infrastructure.

• Approximately 884,000 people in five provinces (Mantikas) live in areas that have been directly affected by the storm and flash floods in Libya and have been impacted to varying degrees.

• Existing information and initial field observations suggest that the most immediate needs include ambulances, trauma and emergency surgical kits, first aid and psychosocial support, medical personnel, body bags, medicines for hospitals and health centers amid exponential growth in health needs following the storm and flooding.

• Critical infrastructure, including healthcare, electricity, buildings, roads and telecommunication, have been significantly damaged. Progress is being made toward restoring electricity and communications to the affected areas.

• The UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordination launched a Flash Appeal on 14 September during a donor briefing. Humanitarian partners request $71.4 million to respond to the most urgent needs of 250,000 people targeted out of the 884,000 people estimated to be in need, over the next three months.