In response to the catastrophic flooding that devastated parts of Libya, the Canadian federal government has committed a humanitarian aid package worth $5 million. The tragedy, which resulted from the collapse of two dams, claimed the lives of over 11,000 individuals, inundating vast regions, notably in the northeastern city of Derna.
Ahmed Hussein, Canada’s Minister of International Development, conveyed in a statement that this financial assistance is earmarked to “bolster our humanitarian partners in delivering immediate life-saving interventions, encompassing emergency health care, water, sanitation, hygiene services, as well as shelter and non-food items, in the flood-hit northeastern zones of Libya.”
The press release further clarified that this allocation is in addition to the $10 million from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, to which Canada stands as a generous donor, directed to address the crisis.
Minister Hussein articulated the deep sorrow felt by Canadians, stating, “Canadians are profoundly saddened by the tremendous loss of life and the extensive devastation caused by the floods in Libya. Our nation has always believed in extending a helping hand in times of crises, and it is with this ethos that the Canadian government is stepping forward to offer life-saving assistance to Libya.”
The onset of this disaster was last week’s storm, named ‘Daniel’, which struck the Libyan coast, leading to the dams’ collapse and the subsequent inundation of the northeastern city of Derna.
