LIBYA AND MOROCCO: TWIN DISASTERS STRIKE NORTH AFRICA

In September, both Libya and Morocco were struck by devastating disasters. Though Islamic Relief does not have a permanent presence in either country, we were determined to help survivors and so teamed up with local partners.

When Storm Daniel, a Mediterranean cyclone, made landfall in Libya, it brought with it heavy rainfall that caused two dams near the port city of Derna to burst. Waves reportedly over three metres high swept through the streets, washing away people, cars and multi-storey buildings.

More than 4,000 people were confirmed dead by the World Health Organization, and over 8,500 were reported missing. The UN estimated that up to 1.8 million people were affected by what it called a ‘calamity of epic proportions’.

The floods are the worst disaster in the modern history of Libya, which, after more than a decade of political turmoil, was extremely ill-equipped to cope. On top of the massive loss of life, 30,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed, along with roads and bridges, leaving some communities effectively cut off and more than 40,000 internally displaced. Communications networks were also impacted, while hospitals and morgues in Derna struggled to cope. Waterborne diseases became a serious concern in the aftermath, with infrastructure severely contaminated.

Working through our local partner, the Sheikh Taher Azzawi Charity Organization (STACO), Islamic Relief provided blankets, mattresses, food kits and baby items to families affected by the floods. We also distributed close to 7,000 litres of safe drinking water and 36,000 hot meals to people in the first month following the disaster. Our emergency response supported more than 4,800 people.

Islamic Relief is continuing to support affected communities through STACO and as recovery efforts progress. We plan to provide support to other international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Libya to strengthen public health facilities, restore key public infrastructure, and improve access to counselling for affected people.

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake killed nearly 3,000 people and left thousands more injured in central Morocco in early September. The damage from the quake and the hundreds of aftershocks was so extensive that whole villages were wiped from the map. More than 500,000 people were displaced, according to the International Medical Corps, while 60,000 homes were damaged and close to 19,000 totally destroyed.

Islamic Relief launched a £10 million appeal to support survivors. Through our partners Al Mobadara Association and At Tawassol, we distributed 2,600 mattresses and more than 3,400 blankets to support displaced families; and provided more than 2,400 hygiene kits to help combat the rise of waterborne disease after the disaster.

Our relief efforts supported more than 4,500 people and we plan to continue working in partnership with local NGOs and authorities to help repair and rebuild damaged homes and support healthcare facilities in regions affected by the earthquake.