One year on: Looking back at Derna’s flood disaster

A year after floods devastated large parts of northern Libya, residents are showing their resilience. Homes, amenities and critical infrastructure are all being rebuilt, with help from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

The night of the storm

On the night of 10 September 2023, Libya faced one of its most devastating disasters. Storm Daniel, as it would later be known, swept across the country with unprecedented force. The city of Derna, nestled on the Mediterranean coast, lay directly in its path.

As the clock ticked past midnight on 11 September, Derna’s two dams succumbed to the relentless pressure of the storm. The city’s long-standing flooding defences collapsed within a matter of moments, releasing a torrent of over 30 million cubic metres of water – equivalent to 12,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The devastation

The Wadi Derna, which had previously been just a dry riverbed, transformed into a raging river. Unable to contain the sudden deluge, its banks overflowed. The floodwaters surged through the city – catching Derna’s sleeping residents off-guard.

Buildings crumbled, streets disappeared under water and lives were tragically cut short. When the floodwaters finally receded, the true scale of the disaster became apparent. Derna lay in partial ruin, its landscape permanently altered.

The death toll was staggering. Estimates of lives lost range from 5,900 to 20,000, making this the second-deadliest dam failure in recorded history. Only the 1975 Banqiao Dam failure in China has claimed more lives.

The response

In the wake of this catastrophe, help arrived from unexpected quarters – both within Libya and across the world. Among the organisations supplying aid was the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

NRC played an important role in the emergency response efforts for this unprecedented disaster. During the six months that followed the disaster, NRC endeavoured to act as swiftly and effectively as possible, distributing over 2,500 non-food item kits and personal hygiene kits to affected families.

NRC also engaged in critical infrastructure rehabilitation projects. One of its most significant accomplishments was the reconstruction of the main water line, which serves over 50,000 residents. It had been destroyed when the flooding swept it into the sea.

Remembrance and resilience

As we approach the anniversary of this tragic event, we pause to remember those who lost their lives. We reflect on the night that changed Derna forever, and on the long months of recovery that followed.

But amid the sorrow, there is also hope. We can celebrate the resilience of the people of Derna, who faced unimaginable losses and still found the strength to rebuild. And we can also celebrate the spirit of international cooperation that brought helpers from across the world to this corner of Libya.

The Storm Daniel crisis serves as a stark reminder of nature’s power, but also of humanity’s capacity for compassion and recovery in the face of disaster.