International aid continues to reach Libya's coastal city of Derna after it was hit by devastating floods as a result of Storm Daniel.
People bring donated supplies to a collection point in Libya's capital Tripoli, September 15, 2023. /CFP
Norway has pledged to provide 25 million Norwegian kroner ($2.32 million) for life-saving assistance in Libya.
"The funding from Norway will be provided via the Norwegian Refugee Council, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the EU, all of which are working under extremely difficult circumstances to save lives and help survivors by providing food, medicine and shelter," Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Norway's minister of international development, said in a statement on Friday.
The Scandinavian country stands ready to provide further assistance, the minister said. The disaster has claimed over 11,000 lives in Libya.
"The Norwegian Embassy in Cairo is following the situation closely and is in contact with our partners to ensure that we have the best possible overview of the situation in the affected areas," she said.
The German Armed Forces transport relief supplies to flooded areas in Libya from the air base in Wunstorf, Germany, September 14, 2023. /CFP
According to the website of Germany's Federal Foreign Office, the German Air Force delivered 30 tonnes of relief supplies into Libya's flooded areas on Thursday. The supplies included tents, camp beds, blankets, sleeping mats and power generators.
Türkiye has already sent three aircraft to transport humanitarian aid as well as a rescue team and an 11-member medical team to Libya on September 12, Reuters reported. Later, Türkiye sent a ship carrying equipment with 148 medical staff to set up two field hospitals in Derna.
Teams from Türkiye's State Disaster and Emergency Management Authority join search and rescue operations following devastating floods in Libya, September 14, 2023. /CFP
Italy sent three planes of supplies and personnel, as well as two navy ships. Antonio Tajani, the Italian foreign minister, said in a statement that the country "wants to contribute actively to the prompt restoration of a partner and friend country."
According to UN News, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on Thursday issued an urgent appeal to donors for $71.4 million to respond to the needs of around 250,000 people impacted by the floods in Libya over the next three months, saying the death toll could rise without more help.
"All hands are on deck to get as much help and support to people as we can. The UN is deploying a robust team to support and resource the international response, in coordination with first responders and Libya's authorities," the head of OCHA and UN relief chief Martin Griffiths said.
(With input from agencies)