It’s a big bill for Libya. Four months after storm Daniel caused deadly flooding in the city of Derna, the time has come for reconstruction. According to the Libya Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) report recently published by the World Bank, the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU), reconstruction will cost $1.8 billion.
The report reveals that the greatest impact has been on Libya’s housing, environment and cultural heritage, as well as on the transport and water sectors. Housing was severely affected, with over 18,500 houses destroyed or damaged, equivalent to 7% of the country’s housing stock. The RDNA covers 20 municipalities, mainly the cities of Derna, Soussa, Al-Bahda, Al-Marj and Shahhat, where 85% of damage and losses occurred.
More than 3% of Libyan GDP swallowed up by flooding
“Storm Daniel and the catastrophic floods that followed have had a devastating and tragic impact on many people in Libya, who have lost family members, homes and livelihoods,” explains Jesko Hentschel, Director for Maghreb and Malta at the World Bank. Storm Daniel hit Libya’s east coast on September 10, 2023, sweeping through several towns.
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The toll was particularly heavy in Derna when two dams on the coastal Wadi Derna river broke under the weight of the waters on the night of September 10-11. The death toll exceeded 11,300. According to the recently published report, some 44,800 people were initially displaced, including 16,000 children. Access to healthcare and education has deteriorated, and food insecurity has increased in the affected areas.
The start of reconstruction in Derna
The most vulnerable people, including women, children, the disabled, migrants and the elderly, have been particularly hard hit. Damage and losses are estimated at 1.03 and 0.62 billion dollars respectively. Total damage and losses of $1.65 billion represent 3.6% of Libya’s GDP in 2022 ($45.7 billion), according to the RDNA report.
In Derna, reconstruction has begun with the re-commissioning of the city’s desalination plant. The plant, which has a capacity of 40,000 m3 per day, was rehabilitated with the support of Zueitina Oil Company, an oil and gas company based in the capital Tripoli.
Jean Marie Takouleu