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28 September 2023

More than 16,000 children are displaced in eastern Libya following Africa’s deadliest storm in recorded history, UNICEF warned today. Their psychosocial wellbeing is at stake. Many more children are affected due to lack of essential services, such as health, schooling and safe water supply. 

Storm Daniel struck eastern Libya on 10 September and left widespread flooding and destruction in its wake across Derna, Albayda, Soussa, Al-Marj, Shahat, Taknis, Battah, Tolmeita, Bersis, Tokra and Al-Abyar.

Flooded streets and cars overturned in Derna after Storm Daniel in Libya
Flooded streets and cars overturned in Derna after Storm Daniel in Libya
© UNICEF/UNI435917/Alturki

Children among the most vulnerable when disaster hits

Some of the displaced families are hosted in schools. UNICEF has been working with authorities and partners since the beginning of the tragedy to respond to the urgent needs of children and families in the affected areas. 

Adele Khodr, UNICEF Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa, has just returned from a visit to Al Bayda and Derna and said when disasters hit, children are always among the most vulnerable.

"I saw the devastating toll the floods have already taken on children and families. I met families grappling with a high psychological burden and I spoke to children in extreme distress, many not sleeping and unable to interact and play. The memory of what happened still haunts their dreams and their thoughts. Now is the time to focus on recovery, including support the reopening of schools, provide psychosocial support, rehabilitate primary health care facilities and restore water systems. The tragedy is not over, and we should not forget the children of Derna and Al Bayda."

Adele Khodr
UNICEF Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa

Fears of hundreds of children casualties

While the number of children among the casualties is not yet confirmed, UNICEF fears hundreds of children died in the disaster, given that children account for about 40 per cent of the population.

Loss of learning

Significant damage to health and education infrastructure means children once again risk further disruption to their learning and the outbreak of deadly diseases. In the hit region, out of 117 impacted schools, 4 were destroyed and 80 partially damaged.

Outbreak of disease

Waterborne illnesses are a growing concern due to water supply issues, significant damage to water sources and sewer networks, and the risk of contamination of the ground water. In Derna alone, 50 per cent of water systems are estimated to have been damaged.

UNICEF actively supporting the children in eastern Libya

UNICEF has been actively supporting the children in eastern Libya since day two of the crisis. Sixty-five metric tonnes of relief supplies have been delivered to affected areas.

Shipment of medical, nutrition and shelter supplies from the UNICEF Global Supply and Logistics Hub in Copenhagen
Shipment of medical, nutrition and shelter supplies from the UNICEF Global Supply and Logistics Hub in Copenhagen
© UNICEF/UNI437066/Altaboli IOM

65 tonnes of relief supplies

These supplies include medical supplies for 50,000 people for three months, family hygiene kits for almost 17,000 people, 500 children’s winter clothing sets, 200 school-in-a-box kits and 32,000 water purification tablets. UNICEF has also dispatched mobile child protection and psychosocial support teams to help children cope with the emotional toll of the disaster.

Investing in long-term recovery

“As we continue our life-saving response efforts, we also appeal to the authorities and donors to invest in long-term recovery that is equitable, resilient and child-focused,” added Khodr following her visit to the regions impacted by the floods.

Libya response appeal

UNICEF is revising its humanitarian response appeal of US$6.5 million to integrate initial recovery efforts with a focus on education, health and water. To date, UNICEF has received about 25 per cent of these much-needed funds. 

To support the humanitarian response in Libya, please visit: https://www.unicef.org.au/donate/libya-floods