Expression of solidarity & call for help after the floods in Libya: once again, immediate action is required!

In view of the flood disaster in Libya and the terrible consequences for millions of people, we express our solidarity with all those affected and their families! What is now required is for the German government and international politicians to react immediately and quickly to avert a humanitarian crisis. Donation options can be found at the end of the press release.

It is frightening to see expressions of solidarity and calls for help circulating for the second time in just a few days. Shortly after the devastating earthquake in Morocco, the number of victims is now rising following severe flooding in Libya: the Libyan state news agency reports that more than 5.300 people have died in the particularly affected port city of Darna alone. At least 10.000 people are still missing, if not more.

But there are hardly any reliable figures. This time this natural disaster hits a country marked by political unrest. Since the violent overthrow of dictator Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been largely without state authority and two civil wars, in 2014 and 2019, have only led to further rifts between the conflicting parties. This is reflected in the country's disunity and political uncertainty, which in such an extreme situation will have fatal consequences for the population and marginalized groups. More than 1.000 refugees registered with the UNHCR also live in the particularly affected areas of the country, as Libya is one of the main transit countries for people who want to reach safe EU states from North Africa.

The country is suffering from civil wars, refugees are suffering in internment camps and human rights organizations have been criticizing for years that the European Union is not paying sufficient attention to the rights of those affected. If Europe agrees to deals that violate human rights with questionable rulers, then it must be possible to provide quick, unbureaucratic direct help to those affected. We must not forget Libya, the suffering must be combated - this country must not only be used by the European Union as a “second wall” in migration policy.

Immediate action is now required to provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance to all people in Libya in the affected areas. Help is needed for everyone affected, but especially for people who are already in a very dangerous situation.

Due to the politically unstable situation, decentralized donations are difficult. Donate via the central donation organs such as Alliance Development Helps, UNICEF emergency aid for children, the ICRC or Doctors Without Borders.