Libya floods: EU releases €5.2 million and channels further civil protection assistance

As needs in Libya are dramatically rising, the EU is strengthening its support to the country by releasing €5.2 million in humanitarian funding.

The funding will be channelled through EU humanitarian partners active in the country, enabling them to strengthen assistance with a focus on shelter; health; food; water, sanitation and hygiene; and protection.

From the total amount, €200,000 are for the Disaster Response Emergency Fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in support of the Libya Red Crescent Society.

This new release brings total humanitarian funding allocated for the emergency to over €5.7 million.

Furthermore, the EU continues to provide in-kind assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. So far, 8 EU countries have offered assistance to Libya (Germany, Romania, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, and a new offer from Austria) via the Mechanism.

The Emergency Response Coordination Centre has also deployed a team of experts and a liaison officer to support ground operations, in addition to making available environmental expertise.

Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: “The EU is providing steady and continued support to people in Libya affected by Storm Daniel. For this reason, we have released over €5.2 million in humanitarian funding. The flood emergency also triggered the prompt reaction of EU Member States, putting EU solidarity into action on the ground. Tragically, members of a Greek rescue team in Libya lost their lives in a road accident on Sunday as they sought to help others. We express our condolences to all those affected and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.”

Background

In the immediate aftermath of the emergency, the EU released €500,000 in humanitarian funding and channelled offers from EU Member States through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

In-kind assistance and other vital support already reached some of the most affected areas in eastern Libya.