Libya’s internationally recognised government in Tripoli and its eastern counterpart have come together to deliver aid to the southeastern region devastated by heavy rains, raising fears of flooding similar to last year’s catastrophic events that claimed thousands of lives.
Health authorities have declared an emergency, mobilizing ambulances and emergency services as days of rain uprooted trees and power lines, displacing about 3,000 residents in the towns of Kufra and Rebiana, according to the UN’s ReliefWeb.
The natural disaster prompted a joint response from both governments.
Eastern army commander Khalifa Haftar ordered an airlift operation to provide humanitarian and medical aid.
This cooperation is a noteworthy moment of solidarity in a country that has been plagued by over a decade of power struggles and development setbacks, thwarting hopes for stability.
Kufra, a desert region that has become home to Sudanese refugees fleeing war in their country, recorded an unprecedented 51mm of rain in 24 hours, as per the Libyan Meteorological Authority.
Libya Alahrar TV reported that families sought refuge in schools after their homes were damaged, with 700 refugee families from Sudan living “in the open.”
Officials are concerned about a repeat of last September’s floods, which resulted in thousands of deaths after two major dams collapsed during Tropical Storm Daniel’s impact on Derna, a city in eastern Libya.
Following months of blame and criticism over crisis management, a Libyan court sentenced 12 individuals involved in dam administration to prison.
Libya, which hosts the largest confirmed crude oil reserves in Africa, has been in turmoil since the overthrow and killing of leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Despite numerous efforts led by the UN and others, the country remains divided.
