LIBYA: Flood Response

Humanitarian Update
As of 31 October 2023

This report is produced by OCHA Libya in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from 24 October to
31 October 2023. The next report will be issued on or around 9 November.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Early Recovery is gaining
momentum as drinking,
wastewater, debris and
pollution management
remain top priorities to
mitigate further
humanitarian impacts.
Humanitarian partners
continue water trucking
and have started
reconstruction of a water
pipeline in Derna.
• Schools in Derna reopened
on 29 October for formal
education.
• The number of collective
sites to host internally
displaced persons (IDP)
further reduced to 12 sites in Derna, Albayda and Benghazi, hosting 1,143 people.
• Humanitarian partners have reached 164,000 people with assistance. Food distributions continue, with more than
56,000 people reached. Humanitarian partners further refine their distribution plans to meet specific needs. This
includes winterization and covering vulnerable groups, such as refugees, migrants, women and people with
disabilities.

250K 164K 43.4K 4,352 >8,000 4,942

affected people reached with internally deaths missing people cases of
assistance displaced diarrhoea

SITUATION OVERVIEW
To date, only 1,143 out of over 43,400 people displaced after the floods live in collective sites. Out of 38 initially assessed
sites, twelve are still occupied. Three are in Derna, one is a hotel in Albayda and eight site are in schools in Benghazi.
Several IDPs originally from Tawerqha and affected by the floods remain in three schools in Benghazi (77 families or 380
people). Humanitarian partners are following up on reports about others who returned to Tawergha and started providing
support to flood-affected families displaced to Misrata and Tripoli.
A Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment conducted by experts within the United Nations Disaster Assessment and
Coordination team (UNDAC) identified the safety of dams and water, waste and pollution management, as the most
critical environmental impacts of the floods. The experts from Sweden and the Netherlands have mobilized with the
support of ECHO Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). Due to access constraints, the assessment was conducted
entirely remotely. The experts emphasize the need for comprehensive evaluations of dam safety to address any critical
gaps in maintenance as the collapse of dams in Derna raises concerns about the integrity of other dams in the region.

The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to
Coordinate the global emergency response to save lives and protect people in humanitarian crises.
We advocate for effective and principled humanitarian action by all, for all.
www.unocha.org
 Libya Flood Response: Humanitarian Update | 2

The damage to water and sanitation infrastructure causes a heightened risk of infectious diseases stemming from sewage
contamination and stagnant floodwaters and has the potential to trigger further health hazards and environmental
pollution. Hazardous pollutants within debris (the first estimation of debris by UNDP exceeded 25 million tons) and mud
pose threats to the population and environment. Clearance efforts in areas with diverse pollutant sources, e.g., industrial
sites and wastewater treatment plants, require meticulous planning.
Marine ecosystems along the coast, including habitats of turtles, seabirds, fish and seagrass beds are at risk of disruption
due to polluted sediment and debris. This, in turn, may disrupt the entire marine food chain, potentially impacting local
fishing livelihoods.
Early recovery efforts continue to pick up pace. Local authorities with humanitarian partners’ support made progress in
safe debris clearance and disposal, reconstruction of water pipelines and boreholes and restoration of electricity.
As engagement with the affected communities remains a priority, WFP continues to lead the inter-agency Community
Feedback Mechanism (CFM). Since 12 September, the CFM has received 12,372 calls, with 20 per cent of registered
cases related to the protection sector and nine per cent related to food assistance. The inter-thematic working group is
coordinating the follow-up of information received through the CFM across the humanitarian response.

FUNDING (AS OF 31 OCTOBER)

Libya Floods Flash Appeal Funding by TWG (in million US$)
US$ 74.1 million

All humanitarian partners, including donors and recipient agencies, are encouraged to inform OCHA's Financial Tracking Service (FTS - http://fts.unocha.org) of cash and in-
kind contributions by e-mailing: fts@un.org

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
Humanitarian partners have reached 164,000 people with humanitarian assistance as of 26 October.

Shelter/ Non-Food Items (NFIs)

Cash assistance, distribution of essential non-food items (NFI), shelter kits, provision of generators and rub halls and
setting up collective shelters remain the main focus of shelter/NFI partners, including UNHCR, IOM, NRC and WFP.
Those activities reached a total of almost 40,000 people in 22 different locations since beginning of the crisis. Additionally,
the Libyan Red Crescent recently distributed 1,600 families in Tobruk.
A second phase of NFI distribution is planned to cover the needs of 6,000 people in the floods affected areas.
Humanitarian partners are working on need-based targeting to ensure all vulnerable groups have access to assistance.
IOM is planning to distribute NFI, e.g., kitchen sets, blankets, mattresses and plastic sheets to families who have not yet
received NFI through the distribution coordinated through with Derna Relief Committee.
While many of the NFI kits already include items for the upcoming winter and rainy season, such as plastic sheets,
humanitarian partners are procuring winter kits tailored to the specific needs. Recent changes in coordination by local
authorities necessitate a discussion on space in and access to warehouses.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

www.unocha.org
 Libya Flood Response: Humanitarian Update | 3

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

WASH partners continue the provision of safe drinking water, e.g., through water trucking, while being in extensive
exchange with local authorities and service providers to shift to recovery and sustainable humanitarian approaches for
water supply and wastewater management. The technical working groups for WASH and early recovery, together with
OCHA field teams, are following up on increasing solid waste and garbage build up in the streets of affected cities.
UNICEF delivered over 2 million litres of water by trucks to Derna, Sousa, Albayda and Shahat between 14 and 29
October. In Derna, water trucking could start after establishing a reliable water source. UNICEF and humanitarian
partners continue to plan an expansion of water trucking in Derna. For example, ACTED took steps to support the
installation of a borehole, that serves as a source for water trucking in Derna. They also worked on reactiviating the water
truck loading at the Sousa desalination plant and establishing a water distribution point at the Derna desalination plant.
Collecting water from the partially functioning desalination plant and transferring it to residential areas remains a logistical
and access challenge. UNICEF and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) are reconstructing a main water pipeline (300
metres) in Derna to link the eastern and western parts of the city, with the specifications identified by the local service
provider.

Health
As of 31 October, a total of 240 public health facilities were rapidly assessed by the WHO field team deployed in the
affected areas of Derna, Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Tobruk and Almarj districts, as well as Toukra municipality in Benghazi
District. The assessment focused on the functionality status, accessibility, building and medical equipment condition, in
addition to the health needs. The majority of the facilities (87 per cent) were reported either partially (73 per cent) or non-
functional (14 per cent) due to a shortage of medical supplies, medicines, equipment, staff, damage to the building or
limited accessibility. Nine healthcare facilities (27 per cent of the total assessed) need immediate response to resume
their immunisation operations. The results of the ongoing assessments can be found here: Libya HeRAMS 2023
According to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), since 14 September, 9,417 suspected cases of infectious
diseases/medical conditions have been reported from flood-affected areas. With 2,295 cases between 16 and 22
October, this was a higher weekly increase compared with previous weeks, but not to a level that poses public health
concerns.
In support of health facilities’ functionality, WHO, UK Med and the ICRC distributed health kits to over 20 health facilities
in Derna, Albayda, Shahat and Al-Bayyadah. UNICEF provided emergency healthcare kits to 14 health facilities in and
around Derna and acute watery diarrhoea/cholera kits for 3,000 people to health authorities in Albayda. For mid-term
support, UNICEF agreed with health authorities to install trailers for outpatient services in Yousef Bouraheel polyclinic,
Almakhili and Albayada hospitals to be used during ongoing rehabilitation.
Humanitarian partners further support through direct medical services. Namely, PUI with WHO provided mobile clinics in
Qaser-Libya and Almakhili. IOM conducted 490 medical consultations to displaced people in Benghazi, Toukra, and
Derna. The International Medical Corps (IMC) emergency medical teams in Derna and Sousa so far provided 1,391
outpatient consultations.
With a focus on reproductive health, UNFPA mobile units continue operating in Derna, Sousa, Taqnis and Shahat. They
are assisting unproblematic and complicated deliveries, as well as other gynaecological and paediatric, services to about
4,000 people so far. UNFPA also distributed “mama kits” to 500 newborn children and their mothers, and UNICEF
provided obstetric medical kits to support 200 childbirths at Al Wahda Maternity Hospital. UNICEF further deployed six
medical mobile teams in Derna, Albayda, Shahat, Sousa and Benghazi, providing consultations to 2,360 children and
their mothers.
In collaboration with NCDC, UNICEF has trained 729 health workers, in 17 municipalities, to help them manage vaccines
effectively.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

Preliminary results of a UNICEF-led rapid needs assessment for child protection show a change in behaviour and
continued need for MHPSS activities for children and adults. More than 75 per cent of respondents observed changes in
the behaviour and visible signs of distress among children in their community. These include nightmares, flashbacks and
heightened anxiety. Children were also described as being more withdrawn, fearful or irritable, experiencing mood
swings, bedwetting, headache and stomachache. For adults, responders highlighted that the signs included persistent
anxiety, panic attacks, or a general feeling of unease, in addition to nightmares, flashbacks, and sleep disturbances.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

www.unocha.org
 Libya Flood Response: Humanitarian Update | 4

WHO supports MHPSS teams in 4 health facilities in Derna, providing over 248 consultations during the reporting period.
IOM provided MHPSS services to displaced people in IDP sites and communities. During the reporting period, IOM
assisted 21 people in Benghazi with psychological first aid, as well as awareness raising, basic counselling, and
recreational activities to 34 people in Benghazi and 24 in Derna. IMC provides remote MHPSS through the National
Helpline, which is receiving an average of 170 calls per week. The WHO regional adviser for mental health has been
deployed to Libya and is working with the national health authorities and specialists to map available services and provide
technical support.

Food Security
The previously reported WFP joint market functionality assessment began on 25 October and will cover availability and
affordability of food and NFIs. Food Security partners received food assistance requests from Ras Al-Hilal municipality
and are currently validating the beneficiary lists.
As of 29 October, humanitarian actors and local partners continue to provide food emergency assistance across the
northeast of Libya, reaching more than 56,000 affected people with 461 metric tons of food in 26 locations. WFP is
planning to dispatch monthly food assistance to some 22,000 flood-affected people in 21 different sites in the week of 30
October. In addition, 2,364 people in Benghazi were offered cash for food, while a newly identified group of 172 flood-
affected households in Benghazi and Ejdabia received vouchers.

Nutrition
UNICEF, in coordination with local health authorities and providers, continued to provide nutrition services in Abu Selim
and Tripoli, and mobilized a mobile team to provide a nutrition assessment, screening and malnutrition management.
During the reporting period, a total of 10 children were assessed, out of which 3 were diagnosed with malnutrition.
Additionally, nine mothers were screened. For the identified malnutrition cases, medical consultations, infant and young
child feeding (IYCF) counselling and ready-to-use food and micronutrient supplements were provided.

Protection
The protection working group, under leadership of UNHCR and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), continues its
protection risk analysis, with a view to update and further refine the analysis and response done in the first week after the
flood. One focus is on ensuring a consistent approach in the identification of and assistance to beneficiaries and
harmonized approaches to protection monitoring among humanitarian partners.
Through the related child protection sub-working group, UNICEF and partners are conducting a rapid needs assessment
on child protection concerns (see some preliminary results under the MHPSS section). The results will be shared after
completion of the assessment. Child protection actors, humanitarian and local, continue to identify and register
unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) to ensure that they receive case management interventions. As
registration is ongoing, so far 80 children currently living with relatives or neighbours from the community were identified.
Humanitarian child protection partners deployed 12 mobile response teams in affected areas to implement child
protection, recreational and awareness raising activities. These teams are reaching girls and boys in Derna, Shahat and
Albayda.

Education
As of 29 October, the school year started in Derna in 85 schools that were not damaged. As previously reported, the
formal start of the school year was delayed in the east and started on 8 October in most flood-affected areas, while Derna
schools started with MHPSS and recreational activities before formally resuming education. As of 29 October, UNICEF
and partners supported 72 schools with 200 school-in-a-box kits benefiting 8,000 children affected by floods in Derna. A
total of 10 schools in Derna received temporary tent classrooms to support reopening. IOM distributed 200 school bags to
displaced children in Benghazi. The education 4W dashboard can be viewed here: Education Dashboard.
The preparation for an education assessment conducted by the REACH initiative is ongoing, targeting 87 schools. It aims
to assess capacity building, material needs of teachers and social workers in schools, and to map outstanding
infrastructural damage and highlight marginalisation and dropout risks.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

www.unocha.org
 Libya Flood Response: Humanitarian Update | 5

Site Management
To date, only 12 out of 38 initially assessed collective centres for people displaced by the floods are still occupied. A total
of 259 families (1,143 people) were assessed in these sites, while the actual number might be slightly higher as 3 sites
that have not been visited during the reporting period. Three sites in Derna host 50 families (250 people), one hotel in
Albayda hosts 12 families (75 people) and eight schools in Benghazi host 197 families (818 people).
Prior to the reporting period, WFP provided food for two sites in Derna (3,500 people) and Almarj (170 people), but both
sites had been vacated as of 29 October. IOM provided primary healthcare, MHPSS and protection services to three
schools in Benghazi that currently host IDPs originally from Tawergha. One humanitarian partner (ACTED) plans to
provide site management services for five of the sites, and thematic working groups are mapping services at the
remaining sites to fill gaps in response.

Early Recovery
The data collected by UNDP through satellite analysis (Understanding the impact of Storm Daniel | UNDP) is being
triangulated through on-the-ground assessments and key informant surveys. Within the framework of an early recovery
plan for Derna, UNDP collaborates with the University of Derna and trained 15 enumerators among senior university
students and graduates on humanitarian data collection and handling, as well as different assessment methodologies and
tools. The enumerators, using a structured questionnaire, interviewed 39 key informants on infrastructure and services,
livelihoods, social tensions and assistance. The results will feed into the World Bank’s Rapid Damage and Needs
Assessment (RDNA), which is implemented in collaboration with the European Union and UNDP. Further assessment
data of other UN agencies is being included in the RDNA through a flood-specific assessment task force. Early recovery-
focused assessments are also planned on solid waste management, debris dumpsites and solid waste disposal sites to
confirm suitability and design upgrades as needed for safe and environmentally friendly debris disposal or storage until
recycling.
UNDP is working to contract debris removal works and waste clean-up in Derna to start in November. UNICEF and NRC
will reconstruct one main pipeline connection (see under WASH section). UNDP and the Humanitarian Coordinator
organised a consultation meeting between the donor community and the General Manager of the Benghazi Derna
Construction Fund (BDCF) for the development of local recovery plans.

Logistics
The logistics working group established lists of available suppliers for NFI kits and construction. The main logistics
challenge remains the previously reported delay and restrictions in visa for international NGO and UN staff. Since the
response is transitioning from emergency response to early recovery, logistics partners highlighted a need for support to
access market capacity for local procurements.

GENERAL COORDINATION
Coordination continues as previously reported. The previously existing working groups on data analysis and
assessments, gender, and cash and markets support the inter-thematic coordination of flood response. Coordination is
mainly hampered by many coordinators being outside the affected area without visa to enter Libya. IOM, UNHCR,
UNICEF and WFP discuss joint multi-purpose cash assistance and a pilot intervention for 420 families.

Background on the crisis: Between 9 and 11 September 2023, Storm Daniel caused flooding and destruction in the coastal areas of northeastern
Libya. The burst of Mansour and Derna dams sent a devastating flood wave through the city centre of Derna. Other locations - Sousa, Toukra,
Tolmeita, Albayda, Shahat, Albayadah and Benghazi - also experienced damage to houses and infrastructure and received additional people
displaced by the floods.

For further information, please contact:

Ahmed Rih, Public Information Officer, rih@un.org
For more information, please visit https://reliefweb.int/disaster/fl-2023-000168-lby.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

www.unocha.org