In the aftermath of catastrophic floods that engulfed northeastern Libya, particularly the coastal city of Derna, thousands of lives have been lost, and countless more individuals remain missing. Recovery efforts are ongoing, nine days after the disaster struck. Amid the survivors, a particularly vulnerable group has emerged: approximately 20,000 pregnant women who urgently require healthcare, according to the United Nations (UN).
This dire situation was revealed by Ahmad Algeriany, a humanitarian worker with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN agency specializing in reproductive health. He recently conducted an assessment in Derna and joined us from Benghazi in eastern Libya to shed light on the unfolding crisis.
The floods in Derna, as Ahmad describes, have left a trail of destruction and heartbreak, with devastating consequences for its residents, particularly women, girls, and migrants. Entire neighborhoods have been inundated, leading to the collapse and displacement of homes and buildings. Astonishingly, multi-story structures, some as tall as 10 to 12 stories, were swept away by the powerful currents into the Mediterranean Sea, along with their occupants. Tragically, many individuals were asleep in the perceived safety of their homes when disaster struck. To this day, search and rescue teams are recovering the bodies of those who drowned inside their homes, now submerged in the sea.
Ahmad reports that the government has been actively working to provide temporary shelter for the displaced families. Six schools in Derna have been converted into shelters, but this is just the initial step. Given the dangerous conditions in Derna, where bodies, infections, and a noxious odor pervade the area, there are plans to relocate the affected families to safer, protected shelters outside the city as part of a broader effort to rebuild Derna.
One of the most pressing concerns is the healthcare of the residents, especially the 20,000 pregnant women among them. UNFPA is collaborating closely with the government to reestablish six primary healthcare facilities in Derna. Unfortunately, these facilities were not spared by the floods, and significant damage occurred to medical equipment and infrastructure. Tragically, some healthcare staff working in these facilities lost their lives in the disaster.
To address the critical healthcare needs, UNFPA has deployed five teams, each consisting of five physicians and four paramedics, to provide primary and immediate healthcare. Affected individuals in shelters and communities can access healthcare services at these facilities, which have been established by the government and UNFPA, along with other UN agencies. Additionally, a field hospital is operational, staffed by healthcare professionals ready to provide reproductive health care and medical assistance to women and girls in the area.
The scale of this humanitarian crisis necessitates swift and coordinated efforts to provide essential services, shelter, and support to the affected population, particularly the pregnant women who find themselves in a precarious situation.
