International solidarity and support statements are flooding in to Libya, in the wake of devastating Storm Daniel that struck eastern Libya Sunday and Monday especially the hard-hit city of Derna.
The UN said it is assigning an emergency team to support the authorities in eastern Libya. The United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Libya, Georgette Gagnon, announced that she had assigned the Emergency Response Team to prepare to support the Libyan government in eastern Libya.
Gagnon said in a tweet on X, Monday, “I express my deep sorrow over the devastating effects of Storm Daniel that struck the eastern region, in my capacity as the Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the United Nations in Libya.”
“I have assigned the Emergency Response Team to prepare to support the local authorities and partners in eastern Libya.” She added.
Tunisian President, Kais Saied also authorized urgent coordination with the Libyan authorities to provide a helping hand to overcome the ordeal of floods.
Tunisia expressed its condolences to the Libyan people and its full solidarity following the massive human and material losses suffered due to floods that swept several regions of eastern Libya.
Saied said in a statement on Monday that “based on the firm bonds of brotherhood and belief in the values of synergy, cooperation, and unity of destiny between the two peoples, the President of the Republic authorized urgent coordination with the Libyan authorities to provide a helping hand to overcome this ordeal by harnessing the appropriate human and material capabilities and placing them at the disposal of the brothers in Libya in order to contribute to confronting the effects of the hurricane and enhancing search and rescue efforts and treating the wounded.”
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, also sent urgent aid to the areas affected by floods, according to the official Qatar News Agency.
Turkey extended its sincere condolences to the government and people of Libya over the victims of the devastating storm. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a brief statement that Turkey is ready to provide all kinds of support to Libya to overcome this natural disaster.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of many of our Libyan brothers and sisters due to Hurricane Daniel, which has affected Libya since yesterday (September 10), and especially hit the eastern shores of the country.” Read the statement.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi also expressed his sincere condolences to the Libyan people over the casualties resulting from the storm.
El-Sisi said on his Facebook page: ‘We reaffirm solidarity of Egypt, government and the people, with our brothers in their painful affliction, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured, and that this crisis will pass quickly with your unity together.’
In turn, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its sincere condolences and solidarity with Libya regarding the torrential rain resulting from the “Daniel” storm, which caused scores of casualties.
In a press statement, it said that the Arab Republic of Egypt expresses its sincere condolences and solidarity with the sister country of Libya, following Storm Daniel and the resulting torrential rains that struck the country recently, resulting in dozens of victims and injuries.
The UAE for its part expressed its condolences and solidarity with the Libyan people over the victims of the floods and storms caused by Storm Daniel, which resulted in casualties, and missing persons and caused massive material damage.
In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the State of Libya and its people, and to the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery to all those injured.
The Arab Parliament called on Arab countries, countries of the world, international organizations and bodies, and the international community to support Libya in confronting the devastating effects left by Storm “Daniel” and the resulting torrential rains that struck the country recently, resulting in dozens of victims and injured.
It stressed the need to provide a helping hand and assistance to support Libya in this painful affliction, which requires strengthening Arab and international cooperation, quickly providing urgent humanitarian relief, and opening air bridges and safe corridors to quickly provide this aid.
The Arab Parliament affirmed its full support and solidarity with Libya, and its support to overcome this ordeal safely, stressing the importance of concerted and mobilized Arab and international efforts and providing the necessary support to the State of Libya so that it can provide relief and assistance to those affected.
For her part, Representative Ahlam Al-Lafi, Chair of the Social, Educational, Cultural, Women and Youth Affairs Committee of the Arab Parliament, stressed that Libya at this stage is in need of Arab and international solidarity, and support in order to confront this urgent humanitarian crisis, in order to help provide relief to those affected and provide them with urgent assistance.
The US Embassy in Libya said; we are closely monitoring the situation and are reviewing reports indicating the work of all Libyan authorities in their response to the affliction.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) also extended its sincere condolences to the state and people of Libya, for the victims who lost their lives in the floods that struck the east of the country, leaving a lot of devastation in different regions, addressing condolences to the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured and safety for the missing.
Through its official website, ISESCO affirmed its full solidarity with Libya in the face of this horrific natural disaster, and its full readiness to cooperate with the competent Libyan authorities to provide all support and assistance in their areas of competence, especially with regard to assessing the damage to some Libyan archaeological sites, and their restoration and maintenance.
ISESCO announced that, in solidarity with the families of the victims, the injured and the missing, and after coordination and agreement with the Libyan National Committee for Education, Culture and Science and the Supreme Committee for Celebrating the City of Benghazi as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World, it was decided to postpone the launch of the celebration of Benghazi as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2023, which was scheduled for the 16th September, until further notice.
Libya, especially the eastern part was struck by Storm Daniel leaving behind large-scale devastation and a high casualty toll the full and total figures are yet to be disclosed, especially in the hard-hit city of Derna.
