On September 10, 2023, Storm Daniel hit Libya, where torrential rainfall generated massive floods and the breach of two dams located in the south of Derna leading to the destruction of entire neighborhoods. The devastating flooding has so far killed more than 4,000 people and displaced more than 42,000, with a further 8,500 missing. Between 30,000 and 35,000 of these displaced individuals are currently residing in overcrowded camps in the Derna governorate, with little access to clean water and sanitation. Derna is amongst the worst affected districts for lack of open and safe health care facilities due to damage that the floods caused.

The Threat of Waterborne Diseases

The majority of the health risks for survivors stem from the presence of contaminated water, limited access to clean water and poor hygiene and sanitation facilities. These risks include the threat of waterborne disease outbreaks such as acute watery diarrhea and cholera. Additionally, the challenges of disrupted health care services, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, women and patients with chronic diseases or conditions, have heightened these risks. The Libyan National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported 238 cases of diarrhea from September 14 to 18 alone. 

The World Health Organization (WHO)

To detect early waterborne disease outbreaks and allow for the conduction of immediate control measures, the NCDC is leading surveillance efforts with support from the WHO including active surveillance in hospitals, health facilities and shelters for displaced people.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed 78 health facilities, 24 of which are hospitals and 54 of which are primary health care facilities. More than half are either closed or not functioning due to damaged infrastructure or shortages of staff, medical supplies and equipment. 

Alongside the Libyan Ministry of Health (MoH), the WHO is working to restore functionality in 10 health care facilities. Due to the 30,000 to 35,000 individuals residing in camps in Derna, a 100-bed field hospital with 10 intensive care beds, radiology services and an obstetrics and gynecology department has emerged with intentions to establish a further six field hospitals across the affected areas of Libya. 

Due to damage causing the only rural hospital in the village of Al-Bayada to close, the WHO has deployed a mobile clinic in the nearby city of Assahel city in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar. Additionally, the WHO has not provided chronic disease medicines to primary health care centers in AlBayda, AlMarj, Derna, Shahat and Sousa. 

UNICEF

Since Storm Daniel, UNICEF has supported 14 primary health care facilities and three secondary health facilities with essential health supplies sufficient to meet the essential health needs of 91,750 people for three months. 

In collaboration with the NCDC, UNICEF launched the Safe Water: Healthy Lives awareness campaign. This campaign targets the most affected locations in eastern Libya and focuses on preventing waterborne diseases, promoting safe hygiene practices and prioritizing the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children. The campaign has reached nearly 12,000 people with crucial messages. 

In addition to waterborne disease threats, mental health issues such as acute mental distress, anxiety and depression are at increased risk, especially for those who have lost loved ones, homes, jobs and livelihoods. UNICEF has provided psychosocial support to more than 530 children and 81 parents and trained 62 partners’ staff in psychosocial first aid.

The EU has provided Libya with €5.7 million in humanitarian funding, channeled through ground-operated humanitarian partners delivering lifesaving health, water and sanitation supplies to vulnerable people most affected by Storm Daniel and the floods. Substantial civil protection assistance that EU Member States have offered and coordinated via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has complemented the EU’s humanitarian funding that is tackling disaster needs. It includes the medical teams, equipment, shelter and food that those displaced by the floods need, especially those who might be suffering from waterborne diseases.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the devastating flooding that the torrential rain of Storm Daniel in Libya caused has displaced, injured and killed many individuals. However, many organizations are addressing the threat of waterborne diseases due to contaminated water and lack of clean water and sanitation facilities with the united aim to prevent, treat and cure the individuals whom the challenges have affected. 

– Charlotte Campion
Photo: Wikipedia Commons