The Head of the Libyan Presidential Council (PC), Mohammed Menfi, has described the floods disaster in eastern Libya as something that surpasses Libyan capabilities, saying the country has already been exhausted by foreign intervention and political division.
Menfi said in a video statement at a high-ranking meeting of the United Nations that Libya needed rebuilding through the organization of an international conference, adding that the international support for Libya was necessary also in rescue and investigation operations in the disaster areas.
“The disaster that left thousands either dead, injured or missing also caused massive material damage to the infrastructure, let alone the psychological impact that could last for years with the survivors.” Menfi added, saying Libya was a victim of climate change and had never been a cause for it.”
Storm Daniel and ensuing floods hit eastern coastal cities, especially Derna, Al-Bayda and Al-Marj, on September 10 and 11. Two dams collapsed in Derna valley – an area locally known as Wadi Derna -, washing away entire neighborhoods and killing a number of entire families. The flood torrent obliterated around a quarter or the Mediterranean city of Derna, leaving thousands dead and missing.
