Today, President Joseph R. Biden announced that the United States, through USAID and the U.S. Department of State, is providing $11 million in additional humanitarian assistance to the people of Libya affected by devastating flooding in the northeastern part of the country. This additional life-saving assistance comes at a crucial moment to support the Libyan people as they work to recover from this disaster.
Severe rainfall due to Storm Daniel, flash flooding, and the subsequent failure of two dams resulted in widespread flooding that has killed thousands of people. At least 10,000 more are missing and at least 40,000 people are displaced. Flood-affected populations are in dire need of emergency assistance, including food, shelter, safe water, health care, and psychosocial support services. According to the UN, nearly 900,000 people require humanitarian assistance.
This new U.S. government funding will help bolster the efforts of the UN World Food Program (WFP), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and other local and international entities, including UN agencies and non-governmental organizations providing urgently needed humanitarian aid in Derna, Benghazi, and other areas of eastern Libya affected by the storm and subsequent flooding. With support from USAID, WFP is working to deliver emergency food assistance to 100,000 people in eastern Libya. Additionally, other U.S. government partners will provide health services via mobile medical clinics, hygiene supplies, shelter support, safe drinking water, food, cash assistance, case management, dignified management of the dead, restoring family links, and psychosocial support services to internally displaced persons and other flood-affected populations.
This additional funding follows an initial $1 million in USAID humanitarian assistance provided to meet immediate needs in the wake of the disaster. The United States stands with the people of Libya during this tragic time.
