Thousands Missing as ICRC Sends Aid and Body Bags to Flood-Devastated Libya

Thousands of people are still missing in flood-devastated Libya after hurricane-strength Storm Daniel struck the country on September 10. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has dispatched aid and 5,000 body bags to help support the recovery efforts. Although provisional figures vary, it is estimated that at least 4,000 people have lost their lives in the disaster. The ICRC’s forensic teams are working alongside local authorities and the Libyan Red Crescent Society to ensure that those who have tragically lost their lives are laid to rest in dignified individual graves. In addition to providing medical supplies, food, first aid kits, and household items to affected families, the ICRC is also assessing the potential risks from unexploded ordnance and abandoned munitions. The United Nations has launched an appeal for over $71 million to address the urgent needs of the affected population. Aid groups have warned of the growing risk of water-borne diseases and the challenges of delivering aid to those most in need. Islamic Relief and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have expressed concerns about a potential second humanitarian crisis in the aftermath of the flood. The citizens of Libya are facing significant challenges as they cope with the devastating impact of the storm, and international support is crucial to alleviate their suffering.