Libya: Flood Response Humanitarian Update (as of 17 October 2023) [EN/AR]
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This report is produced by OCHA Libya in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from 10 to 17 October 2023. The next report will be issued on or around 24 October.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Five weeks following the floods, more than 43,000 people remain displaced inside the country, including 16,000 in Derna.
• About 156,000 people have been reached with humanitarian assistance.
• Of 231 health care facilities assessed, only 17 were fully functional, while 168 are just partly and 29 non-functional.
• Protection partners are working to identify people most vulnerable due to the impacts of the floods. They estimate that at least 400 children are unaccompanied and separated.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
An estimated 43,421 people remain displaced following the floods that occurred on 10-11 September. The majority of internally displaced people (IDPs - 94 per cent) remain in eastern Libyan municipalities, while six per cent have continued relocating to western municipalities, according to IOM. According to available reports, 773 migrants were displaced within or between eastern municipalities.
As WHO assessments of public health facilities continued over the reporting period, the percentage of facilities partially or non-functional increased to about 85 per cent of the total of 231 facilities assessed. Before the floods, the referral system in eastern Libya was already grappling with challenges presented by difficult terrain and underdeveloped road networks.
With the flooding causing further damage to roads and the loss of ambulances, these challenges have amplified, putting a strain on the provision of emergency care services and referrals.
Recent events and a related communication outage in Benghazi temporarily delayed some humanitarian activities, including WFP food distributions in flood affected areas. WFP is currently planning the transition of the flood emergency response towards early recovery to support the longer-term needs of affected people. As engagement with the affected communities remains a priority, WFP has received 6,623 calls via its Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM) since 12 September. The majority of requests were for protection (22 per cent), cash due to unemployment (13 per cent) and health support (11 per cent).
In coordination with the Libya Cash and Market Working Group, which comprises of humanitarian and development partners, WFP developed a data management platform for the rapid market functionality index assessment, to determine feasibility of resuming cash-based transfers as the modality to provide food assistance to flood-affected people.
On 11 October, the Derna Relief Committee, established by local authorities, reported the completion of the first stage of assistance to families in Derna. In this first round, which UNHCR and implementing partners supported, all people within Derna were considered, including n those who were not directly affected by the floods and faced disruption of living conditions, including higher prices and lower availability of goods and infrastructure damage. Local authorities assigned neighbourhood focal points to map the locations where IDPs live, so they have access to receive assistance through distribution points. Humanitarian partners are taking steps to refine eligibility and selection criteria to ensure people receive the assistance they need, based on their priorities, and that those most vulnerable have full access to assistance. This is facilitated through inter-thematic coordination led by UNHCR and OCHA and communication with communities.
UNICEF and partners, in collaboration with local authorities, are seeking to address current delays in the registration of unaccompanied and separated children (UASC). Based on experience from other crises, UNICEF estimates that at least 400 UASC need different types of support. Further work is being done by UNHCR, UNFPA and partners to ensure identification, registration and referral to assistance for other vulnerable groups, including female-headed households, those affected by gender-based violence (GBV), people who lost civil documentation and people with disabilities (PWD).
Families can report missing members to the police to receive an attestation, which is the basis for a later issuance of death certificates. Until the issuance of death certificates, the family size or the family status remains as is. While missing death certificates can cause protection risks for the families, it may open opportunities for fraud, as the family status certificate may be used to access assistance.
UNDP continues to provide technical support for debris removal and disposal efforts in Derna. Planning continues for the procurement of bobcats, garbage trucks, water trucks, sewage trucks and generators.
FAO organised a training on collecting and managing quantitative and qualitative field data for local stakeholders, in collaboration with relevant authorities.
Following the armed conflict in eastern Libya, an UNMAS non-technical survey in 2019 and 2022 had revealed a contamination of eight areas in Derna, covering 995,000 square meters, with explosive remnant of war (ERW). In October 2023, a Libyan Mine Action Center (LibMAC) and UNMAS assessment following the floods confirmed a change in the landscape of this contamination, as some of ERW shifted and may be located in the mud, buildings and debris, as well as swept in the sea. The Director of UNMAS met with the Libyan Mine Action Centre (LibMAC) to discuss the situation and the possible resumption of lifesaving mine action in affected areas.