RIYADH: In a gesture of solidarity and support, Saudi Arabia has dispatched its first aid plane to Libya, providing a lifeline to thousands of people grappling with the devastating aftermath of flash floods. Despite diminishing hopes of finding more survivors, international aid shipments have started arriving in Libya, offering much-needed assistance to those affected.
The Saudi aid plane took off from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, destined for Benina International Airport in Benghazi. Loaded with 90 tons of food and relief materials, this humanitarian mission aims to provide essential aid to the flood-stricken regions of Libya, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
The catastrophic floods, which occurred last Sunday, engulfed the port city of Derna, causing the sea to swallow thousands of people and homes. This disaster was triggered by the rupture of two upstream dams, resulting from intense rainfall brought about by a hurricane-strength storm.
Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, recognizing the urgency of the situation, had directed the Saudi aid agency KSrelief to extend support to the victims by providing food and shelter assistance.
KSrelief Team to Oversee Aid Distribution in Libya
A specialized team from KSrelief will oversee the distribution of aid in collaboration with the Libyan Red Crescent.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the Supervisor General of KSrelief, emphasized that these efforts are aligned with the Kingdom’s humanitarian commitment to stand by countries facing crises and hardship.
In response to the dire situation, the United Nations has launched an appeal for over $71 million to aid hundreds of thousands of people in need.
Tawfik Shoukri, spokesperson for the Libyan Red Crescent, revealed that rescue teams are actively engaged in the search for survivors and the recovery of bodies from debris in severely affected areas of Derna. Additionally, efforts are underway to deliver vital aid to families residing in the eastern part of the city, which, while relatively less affected by the flooding, has become isolated due to road closures.
According to the International Organization for Migration, the flood’s impact has displaced more than 38,640 people in eastern Libya, with a staggering 30,000 individuals affected in Derna alone.
