“The students were very happy to receive school bags. Many students lost most of their belongings. These bags will help them return to their daily routine.”Ghalia, Humanitarian Coordinator – DCA Libya
Six months have passed since Storm Daniel made landfall on 10 September 2023 in Eastern Libya. The storm caused large-scale flooding and damage to residential housing, infrastructure, and road networks, affecting many areas including Benghazi, Tobruk, Toukra, Talmeitha, Almarj, Taknes, Al Owailia, Bayada, Albayda, Shahhat, Soussa, and Derna.
More than 250,000 people have been affected, with 44,000 initially internally displaced. Around 6,000 lives have been lost, with more than 5,000 still missing and presumed dead.
Humanitarian access to the affected areas is very challenging.
With generous contributions from a long list of donors (see below) who responded to the call for funding in the aftermath of Storm Daniel, DCA has managed to make the most of its ongoing presence in the area – to the benefit of those affected by the flooding.
DCA staff on the ground have responded to the crisis in close collaboration with national organisations, such as the Libyan Red Crescent (LRC), a longstanding partner of DCA Libya.
“It was an important moment when the first items arrived. They were much needed, and this was the first shipment from any international organisation to arrive in Derna.”Zain – Team Leader, DCA Libya
Achievements
- More than 3,000 body bags were provided to support recovery efforts.
- Two main hospitals in Derna were provided with 26,000 medical-grade face masks, 50,000 sterile medical gloves, 1,000 sanitiser sprays, 300 litres of medical alcohol, and 700 medical gowns to improve hygiene and reduce the spread of disease. 100 helmets, 100 head torches, and 200 protective suits were provided to protect search and rescue workers.
- 2,800 shelter and hygiene kits were distributed, benefitting 2,800 households, prioritising female-headed households, people and children with disabilities, and internally displaced people (IDPs). ‘Non-Food Item’ (NFI) kits included shelter-related items such as sealing-off kits, blankets, mattresses, and torches and hygiene items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitary pads, and baby diapers.
- 1,500 school bags with supplies and small hygiene kits were distributed to 1,500 students aged 5-12 in storm-affected schools to enhance their overall well-being.
- ‘Youth and Children Psycho Social Support (PSS)’ Training for personnel from DCA, Libyan Red Crescent (LRC), and ‘The International Organization for Protection of Children and the Disabled’ (IOPCD) to carry out PSS sessions in their communities.
- PSS sessions with recreational activities, games, and other activities for almost 500 internally displaced youth and children who are facing psychological distress due to the loss of family and friends, homes, and community structures.
Ongoing and planned activities
DCA and partners continue to provide aid and support and will distribute food parcels throughout the holy month of Ramadan to alleviate the financial cost of food for families most affected by Storm Daniel. The families receive parcels include sugar, salt, cooking oil, rice, pasta, flour, dates, and other cooking staples.
In addition, a range of other activities responding to immediate as well as long-term needs are carried out.
In three medical facilities DCA will install solar panels to reduce reliance on the electric grid. The grid itself suffered damage during the storm and subsequent flooding. Though it has undergone partial/temporary repairs, installing solar panels is a proactive measure to enhance energy resilience and reduce vulnerability to future disruptions.
Other activities include:
- Distribution of hygiene-related NFIs to households, including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, disinfectant, washing-up liquid, diapers, and sanitary pads to support households that have lost their livelihoods due to the storm.
- PSS sessions carried out by local partners, LRC and IOPCD, to alleviate the psychological distress due to the upheaval caused by Storm Daniel and improve overall well-being.
- Distribution of PPE to medical facilities, including medical face masks, gloves, gowns, etc., to increase sanitation and hygiene standards in medical centres.
Donors
Our efforts to assist those affected by Storm Daniel are only possible because of the robust support we have received from our ACT Alliance partners – and organisations associated with it – as well as generous support from long-standing partners in Denmark.
- Christian Aid
- Corus International
- Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe
- Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Cordaid
- Episcopal Relief and Development
- Hungarian Interchurch Aid
- International Orthodox Christian Charities
- Islamic Relief USA
- Kerk in Actie
- Norwegian Church Aid
- Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
“The psycho-social support sessions have a strong impact on children who are internally displaced. The children are happier after the activities.”Elabed, Humanitarian Coordinator, DCA Libya