OCT 2023-JAN 2024

Supporting the IRC response to Storm Daniel

©International Rescue Committee / Majduldeen Alhlafi

2021-2024

International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC works in more than 50 countries and in 28 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future, and strengthen their communities. Since 2021 we’ve regularly funded IRC’s efforts to resettle thousands of Afghans in the US and to assist vulnerable populations affected by floods in Pakistan (2022) and eastern Libya (2023). We are currently contributing to IRC’s emergency response operations in Türkiye.

www.rescue.org

CHALLENGE

Unprecedented floods struck eastern Libya after Storm Daniel made landfall on 10 September 2023, leading to the collapse of two dams south of the city of Derna and sweeping away entire neighbourhoods. Over 44,000 people were unable to return to their homes and livelihoods and almost 6,000 deaths were reported.

ACTION

The IRC has been present in Libya since 2016, providing essential healthcare and protection to vulnerable Libyans, refugees and migrants affected by the country’s ongoing civil war. The organisation was therefore among the first responders to the crisis, focusing in particular on health and protection services.

Health services: working closely with the Ministry of Health IRC teams provided essential medical equipment, supplies and medicines to enhance the national health response, including logistical and technical support to field hospitals and public health centres. In addition, IRC’s mobile medical teams provided lifesaving medical screenings, consultations, treatment and referrals to over 11,000 patients. Community health workers were also deployed in storm-affected areas to share critical health information with the population, reaching 9,000 people.
Protection services: thousands of women and children had to leave their homes in search of safe shelter. IRC's mobile protection response teams were deployed in Derna, Al Baydaa, Shahat and Sousa and were able to provide over 900 women and children with critical protection assistance and psychosocial support to prevent their exposure to further risks, including the creation of female-only Healing and Learning Spaces and the distribution of dignity kits explicitly tailored to women’s and girls’ needs.