The Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Michael Langley, held critical discussions on Wednesday with Mohammed Al-Mnifi, head of Libya’s Presidential Council, in the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane ‘Daniel’.
In an official statement, the US Embassy in Libya relayed that General Langley met with key Libyan political and military figures.
He emphasized the urgent need for cohesion and unity among leaders to assist those affected by the floods. Moreover, Langley assured them of America’s steadfast commitment to bolstering Libyan relief initiatives.
General Langley voiced, “The United States stands shoulder to shoulder with the Libyan populace, advocating their pursuit of national unity, especially considering the recent calamities befalling eastern Libya.”
Simultaneously, in the battered city of Derna, there are ongoing efforts to establish alternate routes around the dams that crumbled under Hurricane ‘Daniel’. These new pathways are vital for reconnecting the eastern and western parts of the city, ensuring unhindered movement for relief brigades and the general public.
The US President Joe Biden’s administration had earlier, on September 18th, pledged $11 million towards the Libyan flood relief efforts. With this recent contribution, the total US aid has now escalated to $12 million. This aid aims to empower UN bodies and various humanitarian organizations, both international and local, to dispense a range of services: from emergency food provision and mobile health clinics to shelter assistance and safe drinking water.
Notably, the World Food Program, bolstered by US funding, is slated to deliver emergency food support to an estimated 100,000 inhabitants in northeastern Libya.
Reacting to the devastation, a US government spokesperson stated, “The United States is profoundly affected by the heart-wrenching loss and destruction stemming from the floods. Our commitment to assisting the Libyan populace during these testing times remains unwavering.”
Mediterranean Storm Daniel, which unleashed its fury on northeastern Libya between September 10th and 11th, brought with it torrential rains leading to catastrophic flooding. The sheer intensity of the rains caused the collapse of two major dams in Derna, resulting in nearly eight billion gallons of water inundating the city.
The present data, although continuously evolving, paints a grim picture: thousands have perished, an alarming 10,000 remain unaccounted for, and an estimated 40,000 have been rendered homeless.
Notably, on September 10th, a devastating storm swept through several eastern regions of Libya, notably the cities of Derna, Benghazi, Al-Bayda, Al-Marj, and Sousse. This resulted in significant destruction and led to the loss of thousands of lives, injuries, and missing individuals.
