Satellite imagery shows that more than 2200 buildings were affected by the floods. Estimates suggest that about 40 000–45 000 people in Derna have been displaced, although the actual number is likely to be higher.

The deluge of water caused loss of life and destruction and damage to infrastructure and assets. Health care services have been disrupted because of structural damage to facilities, a shortage of health workers and lack of equipment and medicine.

Preliminary WHO field assessments found that 63% of hospitals and 52% of primary health facilities assessed were partially or fully nonfunctional following the disaster. With support from WHO, Libya’s health authorities have since restored functionality in 10 health facilities and supported the establishment of 6 field hospitals.

WHO has stepped up its emergency response to provide vital health supplies and support to the affected population in Libya. As part of this effort, it has deployed 12 WHO field coordinators from other municipalities to the affected areas, which include Derna, Al-Bayda and Shahat, among others.

The WHO teams have been monitoring health needs and coordinating the dispatch of medicine and medical equipment and the deployment of medical teams to the affected areas. They have also contributed to surveillance efforts to ensure the early detection and control of any health risks, in particular communicable and epidemic-prone diseases.

On 17 September 2023, 2 consecutive shipments carrying 34 metric tonnes of medical supplies and technologies arrived in Benghazi. This marked a significant milestone in the intensified efforts to address the exceptional challenges faced by Libya’s devastated communities. A total of 17.1 metric tonnes of supplies have already been distributed.

Dispatched from WHO’s logistics hub in Dubai, the supplies include essential medicines, trauma and emergency surgery supplies, medical equipment, and body bags for the dignified handling and burial of the deceased. With enough resources to reach nearly 250 000 people with health aid, the shipments should replenish supplies in more than half of the health facilities in the affected areas.

WHO mobile clinics provided before Storm Daniel struck were deployed in eastern Libya to provide medical services to the residents of Al-Bayda and other affected areas, where most health facilities were either partially or totally destroyed by the floods. WHO plans to deploy additional mobile clinics to Libya to meet the health needs of the affected population.

So far, nearly 4265 bodies have been recovered and identified, and death certificates issued. This number is expected to rise as search and recovery efforts continue for the more than 8500 people reported as still missing.

Among the hundreds of tragic stories unfolding now in Libya is that of Abdulgader Alkharm, a humanitarian volunteer based in Derna. Having escorted his family to a safe location, he was engaged in rescue efforts with colleagues from the Libyan Red Crescent Society when the dams above Derna burst.

Abdulgader was swept away while attempting to save an elderly woman trapped in the floodwater. His body and that of his colleague Khalid Dwal were later retrieved from the sea. Hussein Bozainouba, from Al-Bayda, went missing while taking part in rescue operations. His body was also found 2 days later.

Dr Ahmed Zouiten, WHO Representative in Libya, expressed his deep sorrow at the immense loss of life and the scale of the disaster.

“This is a disaster of epic proportions,” he said. “We grieve for the thousands of lives lost and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families affected. Our focus now is on providing the necessary support to restore health services and bring relief to the affected population in eastern Libya.”

With health partners, WHO is conducting comprehensive health assessments, restoring functionality to damaged health facilities, establishing fixed and mobile health clinics close to the affected population, and deploying international emergency medical teams to provide health services in remote and hard-to-reach areas. To this end, WHO has released US$ 2.3 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to facilitate a rapid organizational response and has requested US$ 11.1 million for its flood response.

Priorities for WHO include maintaining routine health services, especially vaccination, to avoid the emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and diphtheria. Working with the local health authorities, WHO is also strengthening early warning and surveillance systems for the prevention and control of waterborne and foodborne diseases that may spread following floods and acute population displacements.

The people of Derna have lost loved ones as well as homes, livelihoods and belongings. Tremendous mental health needs are emerging, and will continue to emerge, as the initial shock of the devastation and loss they have experienced begins to dissipate.

Libya’s people are determined to overcome this crisis and emerge stronger than ever before, and they will do so through resilience, compassion and a collective spirit. Theirs will be a long journey of recovery and healing, and WHO will be there to coordinate and assist in the provision of life-saving health services to the affected population.

WHO will work to ensure that investments in the reconstruction of the health system aim to build back better. A more resilient health system will produce better health outcomes in future, helping to safeguard the lives, health and well-being of the people of eastern Libya and beyond.