A Year After Devastating Floods, Libyans Struggle to Rebuild in Derna
It’s been a year since the catastrophic floods swept through the eastern coastal city of Derna, claiming thousands of lives and leaving many more displaced. Despite the passage of time, residents are still coming to terms with the devastation, as they attempt to rebuild their lives in a city that will never be the same.
The heavy rains of Storm Daniel brought two dams crashing down, releasing a torrent of water that wiped out entire neighborhoods, including roads, bridges, and residential buildings. For those who lost loved ones, the pain is still palpable. Mohsen al-Sheikh, a 52-year-old actor and theater administrator, lost 103 family members, leaving only a few surviving members behind.
As the city begins to rebuild, the task ahead seems daunting. Houses in the al-Maghar neighborhood, where al-Sheikh lives, are built on a hillside that became a conduit for the deadly water. Some families used the back doors to escape to higher ground, but many others were caught unaware, leaving many bodies unrecovered.
According to Libya’s Red Crescent, more than 11,000 people were killed and 10,000 others went missing, while the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported 4,000 fatalities and 9,000 missing persons. A staggering 30,000 were displaced, forced to start anew in the face of unimaginable loss.
The city of Derna, once a cultural hub with a rich history, is now a city scarred by war and division. For years, it fell under the influence of the Islamic State and other extremists, but Storm Daniel brought the most widespread destruction.
A report published after the disaster found that the torrential rains were 50 times more likely to occur and 50% more intense due to human-caused climate change. The World Weather Attribution group’s analysis aimed to quickly evaluate the possible role of climate change in extreme weather events.
Despite the challenges ahead, one of the country’s rival authorities is investing serious resources into rebuilding Derna. The city, which falls under the territory of forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Hifter and his forces in Benghazi, is being rebuilt piece by piece. Plans include the construction of 800 apartments for those who lost their homes.
However, international observers have warned that the country needs much more support to help the coastal city get back on its feet. As Derna begins to rise from the ashes, it is a testament to the resilience of its people, who are determined to rebuild and reclaim their city from the devastation of the past year.
