At least 30,000 people have been displaced in the Libyan city of Derna due to floods unleashed by Storm Daniel, the International Organisation for Migration in Libya said on Wednesday.
About 3,000 people were displaced in Albayda, 1,000 in Almkheley and 2,085 in Benghazi, the UN agency said on X, formerly Twitter.
It added that the number of deaths was currently unverified.
The IOM and its partners were immediately sending “NFIs [non-food-items], medicines, search-and-rescue equipment and personnel to the affected areas”, it said.
Hichem Abu Chkiouat, Minister of Civil Aviation in the administration that runs eastern Libya, said on Wednesday that more than 5,300 bodies have been counted in Derna. That toll is expected to increase significantly.
“The sea is constantly dumping dozens of bodies”, Mr Abu Chkiouat told Reuters, adding that reconstruction would cost billions of dollars.
Storm Daniel caused deadly flooding in many eastern towns but Derna was hit the hardest.
As the storm pounded the coast on Sunday night, Derna residents said they heard loud explosions when the dams outside the city collapsed.
Floodwaters washed down Wadi Derna, a river running from the mountains through the city and into the sea.
The devastation is an indication of the storm’s intensity, but also Libya's vulnerability. The country is divided by rival governments, one in the east and the other in the west, and the result in many areas has been neglect of infrastructure.
The floods damaged or destroyed many access roads to Derna, hindering the arrival of international rescue teams and humanitarian assistance to tens of thousands of people whose homes were destroyed or damaged.
Local emergency responders, including troops, government workers, volunteers and residents, continued digging through rubble looking for victims. They also used inflatable boats and helicopters to retrieve bodies from the water and inaccessible areas.
Bulldozers have worked over the past two days to fix and clear roads to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid and heavy equipment urgently needed for the search-and-rescue operations.
The city is 250km east of Benghazi, where international aid started to arrive on Tuesday.
Mohammed Abu-Lamousha, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry in the eastern government, on Tuesday put the death toll in Derna at more than 5,300, according to the state-run news agency. Dozens of others were reported dead in other towns in eastern Libya, he said.
Authorities have transferred hundreds of bodies to morgues in nearby towns. In the city of Tobruk, 169km east of Derna, the Medical Centre at the morgue in Tobruk received more than 300 bodies of people killed in the Derna flooding; among them were 84 Egyptians, according to a list of dead obtained by AP.
At least 10,000 people were still missing in the city, according to Tamer Ramadan, Libya envoy for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Countries and agencies pledge support following the disaster
The UN has announced $10 million in aid in response to the flooding, which will be disbursed from its Central Emergency Response Fund.
In addition, the UK announced on Wednesday an initial package of up to £1 million ($1.2 million) in assistance to meet the immediate needs of those most affected by the floods.
The UK is working with partners on the ground to provide shelter, health care and sanitation.
“The UK is committed to supporting Libya following these devastating floods,” Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said.
“The funding announced today will provide life-saving assistance to those most affected by the floods, including women and children and those who have been displaced from their homes.
“We will continue to co-ordinate closely with the UN and the Libyan authorities on what further support may be required.”
Britain's King Charles III sent a message of condolence on Wednesday evening to the chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed Al Menfi, saying: “My wife and I are so desperately saddened by the devastating impact and loss of life caused by Storm Daniel and the subsequent floods.
“We mourn with all those who have lost their loved ones, and continue to pray for everyone whose lives and livelihoods have been affected by the horrific floods.
“I admire greatly all those who are engaged tirelessly in the rescue efforts in such dire conditions, and praise their selfless bravery.
“I know that my government stands ready to support your needs.”
The UAE has sent two aid planes to Libya carrying 150 tonnes of food and medical supplies.
The EU on Wednesday activated its Civil Protection Mechanism to help Libya, with Germany, Romania and Finland offering tents, field beds and blankets, 80 generators and food as well as water tanks.
The bloc said it was releasing an initial €500,000 ($536,000) in humanitarian funding.
The US is sending emergency funds to relief organisations and co-ordinating with the Libyan authorities and the UN to provide additional support, President Joe Biden said.
France said it would send a field hospital.
Firefighters from several Spanish provinces have travelled to Libya. Some carried boxes with electrical equipment, including generators.
A representative for the Basque NGO Accion Norte said eight firefighters, four rescue dogs, a doctor and an interpreter were en route to Derna, together with a contingent from the Valencia-based NGO Bombers pel Mon.
“We are completely self-sufficient and are carrying specialised equipment for rescue from collapsed structures and water rescue,” he said.
Italy on Tuesday said a team including firefighters and civil protection officials was departing for Libya.
On Wednesday the country's Defence Ministry said two military jets would travel to Libya with more firefighters, logistical supplies and other equipment. The naval vessel San Giorgio has also been sent to bolster logistical support.
The ministry says it might also send a second boat to bring more materials and two helicopters for the search and rescue operations.
The Italian Red Cross sent aid including sanitary facilities, drinking water purifiers, generators and 1,500 body bags.
Egypt said it would send a Mistral helicopter carrier to serve as a field hospital and set up shelter tents for those who lost their homes, state TV reported.
Jordan sent an aid plane carrying relief supplies including tents, blankets and food.
Tunisia sent aid and a civil protection team specialised in search and rescue with four dogs, a medical crew, thermal monitoring devices and a drone to detect victims, in addition to a field hospital.
Kuwait sent an aid plane carrying 40 tonnes of medical and relief supplies in addition to food.
Algeria is sending eight aircraft carrying food, medical supplies, clothing and tents.
TOUR RESULTS AND FIXTURES
June 3: NZ Provincial Barbarians 7 Lions 13
June 7: Blues 22 Lions 16
June 10: Crusaders 3 Lions 12
June 13: Highlanders 23 Lions 22
June 17: Maori All Blacks 10 Lions 32
June 20: Chiefs 6 Lions 34
June 24: New Zealand 30 Lions 15 (First Test)
June 27: Hurricanes 31 Lions 31
July 1: New Zealand 21 Lions 24 (Second Test)
July 8: New Zealand v Lions (Third Test) - kick-off 11.30am (UAE)
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
UAE squad
Ali Kashief, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdelrahman, Mohammed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Mohmmed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammad Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Eisa, Mohammed Shakir, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Adel Al Hosani, Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah), Waleed Abbas, Ismail Al Hammadi, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai) Habib Fardan, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Mahrami (Baniyas)
Company%20profile
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Klopp at the Kop
Matches 68; Wins 35; Draws 19; Losses 14; Goals For 133; Goals Against 82
- Eighth place in Premier League in 2015/16
- Runners-up in Europa League in 2016
- Runners-up in League Cup in 2016
- Fourth place in Premier League in 2016/17
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Earth under attack: Cosmic impacts throughout history
- 4.5 billion years ago: Mars-sized object smashes into the newly-formed Earth, creating debris that coalesces to form the Moon
- 66 million years ago: 10km-wide asteroid crashes into the Gulf of Mexico, wiping out over 70 per cent of living species – including the dinosaurs.
- 50,000 years ago: 50m-wide iron meteor crashes in Arizona with the violence of 10 megatonne hydrogen bomb, creating the famous 1.2km-wide Barringer Crater
- 1490: Meteor storm over Shansi Province, north-east China when large stones “fell like rain”, reportedly leading to thousands of deaths.
- 1908: 100-metre meteor from the Taurid Complex explodes near the Tunguska river in Siberia with the force of 1,000 Hiroshima-type bombs, devastating 2,000 square kilometres of forest.
- 1998: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 breaks apart and crashes into Jupiter in series of impacts that would have annihilated life on Earth.
-2013: 10,000-tonne meteor burns up over the southern Urals region of Russia, releasing a pressure blast and flash that left over 1600 people injured.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes. Portland is a 260 km drive from Seattle and Emirates offers codeshare flights to Portland with its partner Alaska Airlines.
The car
Hertz (www.hertz.ae) offers compact car rental from about $300 per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
Parks and accommodation
For information on Crater Lake National Park, visit www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm . Because of the altitude, large parts of the park are closed in winter due to snow. While the park’s summer season is May 22-October 31, typically, the full loop of the Rim Drive is only possible from late July until the end of October. Entry costs $25 per car for a day. For accommodation, see www.travelcraterlake.com. For information on Umpqua Hot Springs, see www.fs.usda.gov and https://soakoregon.com/umpqua-hot-springs/. For Bend, see https://www.visitbend.com/.
Top 5 concerns globally:
1. Unemployment
2. Spread of infectious diseases
3. Fiscal crises
4. Cyber attacks
5. Profound social instability
Top 5 concerns in the Mena region
1. Energy price shock
2. Fiscal crises
3. Spread of infectious diseases
4. Unmanageable inflation
5. Cyber attacks
Source: World Economic Foundation
TCL INFO
Teams:
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
When December 14-17
Manchester United v Club America
When: Thursday, 9pm Arizona time (Friday UAE, 8am)
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
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