UK for UNHCR launches emergency Libya floods appeal 

LONDON, 14 September 2023–  UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity in the UK, today launched an urgent appeal for funds to scale-up UNHCR’s emergency relief work in Libya, to help the thousands of people affected by the devastating floods. 

Storm Daniel made landfall in Libya on Sunday 10 September. The strong winds and heavy rainfall across northeastern Libya have caused significant flooding which has destroyed buildings, roads and other critical infrastructure.  

According to the latest figures, more than 5,300 people have lost their lives but there are fears this number will continue to rise. The floods have displaced tens of thousands of people who have lost their homes and livelihoods. 

UNHCR is working with national, international and UN partners to respond to the situation, assess the scale of the needs and deliver vital aid.  

Immediate needs include shelter and core relief items such as tarpaulins, blankets, solar lamps and soap. UNHCR and its partners are working hard to provide these essential items, as well as other protection services such as psychosocial support. Relief items are already being distributed, and further deliveries from the UNHCR warehouse in Tripoli to the affected areas are underway. 

Emma Cherniavsky, Chief Executive of UK for UNHCR, said: “Even as we wait for the full scale of the destruction to become clear, we can see that these floods have caused unbelievable devastation and loss. Thousands of people are newly displaced, losing their homes and communities, and we are particularly concerned for the thousands of refugees and internally displaced people who were already vulnerable. That’s why we’ve launched our appeal, so that UNHCR can help ensure that people get the vital aid that they desperately need.” 

To donate to UK for UNHCR’s emergency Libya floods appeal visit www.unrefugees.org.uk/libyafloods 

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Notes to Editor 

Information about UNHCR’s ongoing work in Libya is available at www.unhcr.org/countries/libya 

For further information please contact:

Sara Guy, Senior PR Manager, [email protected], 0208 183 0121 

About UK for UNHCR 

UK for UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency’s national partner for the UK, building solidarity, fostering partnerships and raising funds in the UK to help deliver global humanitarian relief for refugees through UNHCR’s work. www.unrefugees.org.uk  

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. It delivers life-saving assistance like shelter, food and water, helps safeguard fundamental human rights, and develops solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. UNHCR also works to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality. www.unhcr.org 

UK for UNHCR is a registered charity in England and Wales (registered charity number 1183415).