Ireland donates €1 million to help flood swept Libya

AN emergency €1 million in humanitarian funding has been donated by Ireland to help tens of thousands of people left devastated by powerful floods in Libya.

The death toll is expected to surpass 10,000 and thousands more are still missing after floods caused the collapse of two upstream dams in the city of Derna.

Irish Aid’s €1 million pledge will help support the work of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The funds will provide emergency shelter, clean drinking water and food, mobile health care including psychological support, and hygiene centres.

The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin T.D., and Minister for International Development and Diaspora, Sean Fleming T.D. announced the support today.

The Tánaiste said: “The Libyan people have already endured years of conflict, poverty, and displacement and the crisis caused by this flooding, a direct result of the impact climate change is having in the region, will exacerbate the lives of many of them."

“Ireland stands in solidarity with the people of Libya and is providing immediate emergency humanitarian assistance. Funding from Ireland is facilitating a response at local level to those in desperate need.”

Minister Fleming added: “It is devastating to see yet another climate related disaster have such a crippling impact on North Africa and in this instance, the people of Libya. This €1 million allocation will support immediate and urgent humanitarian needs on the ground.”