Contemporary Status
Extreme
rainfall and flooding caused by “Storm
Daniel” in Libya resulted massive destruction, including the loss of life
and the property. The two dams of the
country collapsed and released an estimated 30 million cubic meters of water
into the city of Derna. It also affected the other towns and cities of the
country. It is estimated that approximately 20,000 people have died in Libya due
to devastating floods that began on 11 September. However, the official data highlighted
that death toll of more than 5,000 is likely to increase as more 10,000 people
are missing.
pic from: CNN and AP news agencies
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that at least 11,300 people are dead in Derna alone, and nearly 170 people had been killed outside Derna. Further, they mentioned that at least 10,100 people are missing in Derna. According to state media local rescue teams are still continue to search for the missing people. However, the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya More than 30,000 people have been displaced due to the flooding (CNN, 17 Sep 2023).Mark
Zeitoun, director-general of the research Centre the Geneva Water Hub, described
the situation as “It’s the curse of war and weather,” where climate change combined with the effects of Libya’s six-year civil war and
subsequent crisis of governance exacerbated the disaster (Michael Marshall, Nature).
History of
Civil War
The Libyan Civil War which was initiated in 2014,
was a protracted and multifaceted conflict that originated in the aftermath of
the 2011 Libyan Revolution, resulting in the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi's
decades-long rule. This conflict was characterized by the fragmentation of
Libya into various regions controlled by different armed groups and militias,
leading to the emergence of competing governments and institutions in the
eastern and western parts of the country. On one side, the internationally
recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) was situated in Tripoli, while
the Tobruk-based House of Representatives, aligned with the Libyan National
Army (LNA) under the leadership of General Khalifa Haftar, was represented on
the other side, receiving support from external actors.
The Libyan Civil War also became a proxy
conflict, with various international actors providing military, financial, and
political assistance to different factions, exacerbating the situation and
prolonging the conflict. This external involvement further intensified the
humanitarian crisis, with widespread civilian displacement, shortages of basic
necessities, and the collapse of essential services.
Despite numerous attempts to broker ceasefire
agreements, the war continued, inflicting immense suffering on the Libyan
civilian population. In October 2020, a ceasefire was ultimately achieved,
resulting in the establishment of a new transitional government, the Government
of National Unity (GNU), with the objectives of stabilizing the country and
preparing for national elections.
