Libya Floods: The UN has updated its previous estimate of flood-related deaths in Libya. Initially, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that at least 11,300 people had died as a result of the country's recent severe floods.
According to CNN, the revised death toll now stands at 3,958 people. This important change was made based on information provided by the United Nations World Health Organisation (WHO) on September 17th.
Furthermore, the new report states that over 9,000 persons are still unaccounted for as a result of the accident.
The original mortality toll of 11,300 was attributed to the Libyan city of Derna, and the OCHA obtained this statistic from the Libyan Red Crescent.
However, the Libyan Red Crescent Society declared on Sunday that it had not presented the UN with such high death toll estimates.
Farhan Haq, the UN Secretary-General's Deputy Spokesman, explained the matter, noting that they were now relying on WHO-verified figures. He recognised that the UN frequently revises its numbers in catastrophic instances like this one to maintain accuracy.
Cross-checking with other parties is common procedure, and modifications might result in higher or lower fatality tolls.
Derna, which was heavily flooded during Storm Daniel, was severely damaged. The city, which previously housed almost 100,000 people, was split in two as floodwaters emptied and surged across neighbourhoods, eventually reaching the sea.
The shoreline has now become a solemn location where the departed are brought to be buried.
In Derna, efforts are being made to assist the afflicted populace. Rescue crews are working around the clock to clean the region for relief efforts.
Helicopters are searching the sea for bodies, while heavy gear is removing impediments to rescue efforts.
In response to the humanitarian crisis, the UN's humanitarian affairs office has launched a USD 71 million appeal to assist those affected by the disaster.
Several nations have provided mobile hospitals, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, while an Italian naval ship has landed in Derna with basic supplies such as tents, blankets, water pumps, and tractors.
The situation in Libya remains fluid, with continued efforts to find missing people and give desperately needed aid to those affected by the disastrous floods.
The United Nations and other international partners are collaborating to address the immediate and long-term difficulties created by this calamity.
